Merseyside residents have spoken out about plans for a new medical incinerator, which they say has left them fearing for their health and air quality.
Proposals for the facility on land off Stopgate Lane, between Bickerstaffe in West Lancashire and Simonswood in Knowsley, were given the green light by Lancashire County Council earlier this month.
Protests against the incinerator have crossed county boundaries, with people from Knowsley , Sefton and Lancashire joining the 'Stop the Simonswood Incinerator' group, which now has thousands of followers across various social media platforms.
READ MORE: Armed police flood street as man shot in 'targeted' attack
They claim the incinerator could pose health risks for those living nearby, including increased risk of congenital abnormalities, cancers and respiratory illnesses as well as long term increased exposure to other illnesses like strokes, lung cancer, fertility issues and cardiovascular problems, but these have been disputed by the company.
Kate Rose Elder Fuller is a parish councillor for Melling. She told the ECHO: "Our campaign against this incinerator, the research and facts that we presented and the objections raised by the other objectors, should have been enough to stop this being built in a town so close to homes and schools."
She added the plans are a "disaster waiting to happen".
She continued: "The assurances that have been given just aren't good enough. The motivation here is money and the company will profit at the expense of the health of the innocent people of Knowsley and Sefton. This a demonstrator site and will open up a platform for these incinerators to be rolled out to towns across the country."
Kate hopes the proposals are challenged by Knowsley Council to spark a judicial review. She also called for more support from surrounding councils going forward and vowed to "be a vocal critic of anything in our area that brings threat to people and places".
Sefton councillor Patrick McKinley said: "There is a body of evidence that indicates the airborne pollutants can have very serious health issues for anybody unfortunate enough to live under the path that the direction of the wind carries them.
"I am particularly concerned about Maghull as we have over 30% of residents over the age of 65 and therefore more at risk to cardio vascular and respiratory illnesses. The risks will increase as a result of this incinerator."
Liverpool resident Amy Seddon said she fears people in the areas surrounding the incinerator are being treated like "guinea pigs".
She also spoke out about the decision making process; at the planning meeting, two councillors were absent and two abstained, meaning the proposals were pushed through with a vote of four to three in favour.
Amy said: "Councillors are paid and elected to make important decisions on behalf of constituents and abstention shouldn’t be an option.
"There are four schools in the area - our kids will breathe this in when they are on the playground. When I first got wind of the plans I thought it may be a storm in a teacup but when I read up properly, I was mind blown by the stats."
Warrington-based Culzean W2E Ltd is behind the planning application.
The company hopes to knock down existing buildings on the land to build a "high temperature treatment facility for the management of medical waste". According to documents, 400kg of waste would be treated per hour, all of which is expected to come from within a catchment area of 25 miles, with Aintree and Fazakerley Hospital a "focal point."
The ECHO has contacted Lancashire County Council and Culzean W2E Ltd for comment.
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
READ NEXT:
'I still don't believe my daughter is gone, it's too much to bear'
'BulletHawk' EncroChat dealer caught after giving out his own address
Where the stars of Merseyside sitcom Watching are now - from Hollywood to EastEnders
Mum 'gobsmacked' when woman asks daughter 'if she believes in Santa' in Tesco
