Incinerator fight intensifies for 2010 in Middlewich (From Middlewich Guardian)

Incinerator fight intensifies for 2010 in Middlewich

12:00pm Saturday 16th January 2010

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CAMPAIGNERS and developers are expected to clash in the coming weeks as the Middlewich incinerator fight intensifies for 2010.

Bosses at Cheshire East Council have placed an advert in this week’s Guardian asking residents to have their say on the proposal within 21 days.

This means a decision could be made on the fiercely-contested plans for an ‘energy-from waste’ plant at Midpoint 18 business park in months.

Cheshire East initially placed an advert in an earlier edition of the Guardian asking people to comment by January 19.

But Cheshire Anti-incinerator Network (CHAIN) complained saying information about the incinerator on the authority’s website was difficult to find and a hard copy was not available.

“We were criticised and probably quite justifiably,” said Steve Molloy, who specialises in minerals and waste for Cheshire East’s planning department.

“We’re now advertising where to find the information and where the fall back is. We need to see what manor of response we get back.”

A hard copy of Covanta’s plans is now available in Middlewich Library, in Lewin Street.

Liam Byrne, spokesman for CHAIN, said that the opposition campaign will intensify this year.

He added: “We would like to thank the people of Middlewich who have given their support over the last year.

“This was demonstrated by 60 per cent of the population who signed a petition against the incinerator and a Guardian poll that revealed that nine out of 10 people are against the plans.

“We know that Covanta bosses in New Jersey have been rattled by the extent of the local opposition which they did not expect.

“Looking forward to 2010 their loyalty and support will be even more important, not least because we expect Covanta to launch a propaganda blitzkrieg in the New Year.”

Meanwhile, Covanta has distributed a newsletter to every home in Middlewich.

It outlines the company’s application being given the all clear on health and environment issues from a number consultees and Covanta’s pledge to deal only with Cheshire’s waste.

The letter also details the firm’s promise to provide £2.5 million towards the completion of the eastern bypass.

Malcolm Chilton, managing director of Covanta, said: “We have been working very hard to provide Cheshire East with additional information that has been requested through the consultation process.

“Such requests are quite normal for an application of this nature and complexity, and it is our view that the issues raised have now been successfully resolved.”

- Cheshire East Council is inviting residents to have their say on the controversial plans by emailing planning@cheshireeast.gov.uk and writing to the authority at Westfields, Middlewich Road, Sandbach.

All comments submitted before the council’s planning committee makes it final decision in the coming months will be considered.

But people are encouraged to get in touch with the authority by early February.

- To view Covanta’s newsletter online, covantaenergy.co.uk/site/cheshire

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