Residents banned in plans row

3:34pm Tuesday 8th July 2008

A MEETING descended into chaos when residents were banned from speaking about a controversial planning application.

A proposal has been submitted to build a waste treatment plant capable of processing 75,000 tonnes of waste a year in Station Road, Blackrod.

The application was discussed at a Blackrod Town Council on Monday night - but residents were only allowed to comment after a recommendation had been made.

The refusal to let them speak led to rowdy scenes and the chairman of the meeting was forced to bring order by banging her gavel.

Eileen Jackson, chair of the Blackrod and Horwich Environmental Group, said after the meeting: "People were frustrated that they did not get to have a say and there was some confusion.

"I prepared a piece to say but did not get the opportunity, and as the councillors were in agreement with us anyway it was not a problem."

Orchid Environmental, based in Adlington, wants to extend the site of J Dickinson and Sons in Station Road, to include the recycling plant. Owners of the company say it will help reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill, but residents are concerned about the plant being built on their doorstep Bolton Council has received 379 objection letters and petitions with 434 signatures. More than 50 people packed the council chamber and more waited outside at Monday's meeting. They were told they could not comment on the matter because views had already been put forward at a specially convened meeting last month.

Cllr Ian Hamilton said: "We rejected the application for this plan when it came to the meeting last time.

"Bolton Council did not get an opportunity to debate the issue because the plan was withdrawn. There is very little difference to what was put forward last time and therefore I recommend it for refusal."

Cllr Isabel Seddon added: "The plant at Huyton is new and we don't what the long term effect might be on the environment."

Councillors unanimously agreed to recommend it for refusal and residents clapped.