MIDDLEWICH Town Council has responded to Ansa’s application for a vehicle operating licence in Cledford Lane, by agreeing to send a letter of concern to the Traffic Commissioner.

Cllr Bill Walmsley’s request for an ‘extraordinary meeting’ was accepted on Monday, with councillors discussing the issue and unanimously agreeing to voice concerns surrounding environmental issues such as noise, vibration and air quality.

The Ansa ‘Goods Vehicles Operator’s Licence’ application, lodged on November 16, would see the Cledford Lane environmental hub used as an operating centre for 70 goods vehicles and nine trailers.

Middlewich Town Council cannot legally object to the licencing application, but are taking the option to raise concerns as to increased traffic levels, which would have an environmental impact.

Cllr Walmsley said: “This is the latest in a long line of actions against the waste site in Cledford Lane but I have had to accept that the site cannot be stopped and so I am now concentrating my actions on mitigating the effect of the site on the town’s residents.

“Unfortunately, at this point there is only one thing that will stop the site becoming operational and that is for Ansa to withdraw its planning application or walk away – that is not going to happen.

“The concerns have got to be related to environmental issues – times of operation, noise, vibration, air quality. I ask the town council to write to the Traffic Commissioner to voice our concerns. I have contacted Sandbach Town Council asking them to do the same.”

Cllr David Latham, of Action Against Ansa, says that Ansa cannot operate from the site without this licence.

He said: “What we are asking is that people use this chance, as one of the last we might get, to stop this application.

“We are there to help and have created two draft letters for people to use depending on where they live. They can be found on the Facebook page.

“The town council vote was as I would have expected – it was the right thing to do.

“I am glad that all councillors have supported the action, and it clearly shows that there is one voice from the council, saying that we don’t want this extra traffic.”

Construction is well under way at the site, which is due to open next year.

As stated in the notice, owners or occupiers of land near the operating centre who believe their “enjoyment of that land” would be impacted can write to the traffic commissioner within three weeks of November 16.

Letters must also be sent to Ansa Environmental Services. Both addresses in full can be found below.

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Traffic Commissioner

Hillcrest House

386 Harehills Lane

Leeds

LS9 6NF

Ansa Environmental Services Ltd

Pyms Lane

Crewe

CW1 3PJ