CAMPAIGNERS have started the fight against the proposed Ansa waste transfer site in Middlewich after the planning application was officially lodged.

Cheshire East Council announced plans in January to close the waste transfer site in Crewe and build a new facility on Cledford Lane in Middlewich.

Despite Cheshire East Council leader Michael Jones announcing the plans in January, revealing more detailed plans in February, and then the council holding a consultation event in March, the official planning application was not submitted until May 28.

Since the application was submitted, several residents have objected via the council website and newly elected town councillor David Latham has created a Facebook page and e-petition to fight against the plans.

The Facebook page, named Action Against Ansa, has more than 800 members and Cllr Latham is urging anyone else who is opposed to the plans to join the page and sign petition.

Cllr Latham said: “I have created a Facebook page and an e-petition. They held a public consultation over a weekend but they didn’t have the information people wanted and most people in the town didn’t even know it was being held.

“They only had 200 people through the door over the Saturday and Sunday and now I’ve launched the Facebook page I’ve had around 800 people join it and that shows that people just didn’t know about it.

“We’re looking at 1600 extra vehicles a week coming through the town and Middlewich people are getting the rough and of the stick again with this.”

The e-petition can be found at moderngov.cheshireeast.gov.uk/ecminutes and clicking on ‘petitions’.