Public will be able to speak on controversial…

Public will be able to speak on controversial incinerator plans after council row

A row over plans for a hazardous medical waste incinerator has deepened after one council accused another of trying to exclude the public from having their say.

Knowsley Council’s chief executive wrote to Lancashire County Council last month following a meeting where controversial incinerator plans at an industrial estate near Bickerstaffe were discussed by officers.

At the meeting, held on September 7, a decision about the incinerator, plans at Simonswood Industrial Estate, close to the border with Kirkby, was deferred after one councillor complained members didn’t have the “right information” in front of them to consider the proposal.

Among those at that meeting included a group of protesters from the 3.5k-strong Stop the Simonswood Incinerator campaign, which has been organising against the incinerator over health and congestion fears.

Concerns centre on the thousands of tonnes of hazardous medical waste which could be burnt and dozens of lorries entering the site every day, if the plans are approved.

Following the September meeting, Knowsley Council chief executive Mike Harden wrote to Lancashire County Council to say he was told by officers observing the meeting the chair “stated that members of the public may not be able to speak for or against the application” at a further meeting due to be held on October 19.

Calling on the council to ensure local residents, many of whom live in Kirkby, are allowed a say on the proposals, Mr Harden said: “Given the amount of public interest in this particular application, and the need to ensure
public confidence in the planning process, Knowsley Council believes that it is important that all interested parties are given the opportunity to present their views to the Committee on any further information which is presented at that meeting.”

Yesterday, Knowsley Council leader Cllr Graham Morgan claimed victory, as he said: “Pleased to report that Lancashire County Council has listened to our appeals and will allow the public to speak at the meeting where a decision will be made on the Simonswood Incinerator.”

The tweet was shared by Labour Knowsley, which has also voiced its vociferous opposition to the plans, The tweet stated: “Following strong objections from Labour Knowsley and Sir George Howarth MP. Really pleased to hear they have listened. It is only right that people have their say.”

Prospective West Lancs parliamentary candidate and former deputy leader of Knowsley Council Louise Harbour, who was unseated by independent Steve Guy in elections earlier this year, also tweeted Cllr Morgan’s remarks, saying: “Great news! People need to have their say on this. Glad they have seen sense..”

A spokesperson for Lancashire County Council said that any public speaking at the meeting would only be allowed in relation to “new information” adding that the deferred meeting would now take place in December rather than October as originally schedule, to give people 'time to prepare”.

The spokesperson said: “The deferred meeting relating to planning application for the demolition of an existing building and erection of a purpose built building and ancillary structures to house a high-temperature treatment facility for the management of medical waste, in Simonswood, will take place on Wednesday, 7th December.

“Public speaking will be allowed at this meeting and we will be writing to all those parties who spoke last time to make them aware.

“Any further public speaking should only be on any new issues raised since the last meeting on 7th September.”