News Archive

CHAIN News

February 2011: Planning Committee votes to oppose Brunner Mond incinerator

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Strategic Planning Committee voted to oppose Brunner Mond/E.On’s application at its meeting on 10 February 2011.  Over 200 people packed the hall to hear the debate. Many speakers, including CHAIN’s chairman, ward, parish and town councillors, SID and most importantly local residents spoke passionately against the application – they left the committee in no doubt that this plant was not wanted or needed.  This is great news, but not the end of this case!  As a result of the Council’s opposition, the Secretary of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change will be obliged to call a mandatory public Inquiry, prior to making the final decision on whether to approve this case or not.  We will publish details of the Inquiry as soon as we have them.

February 2011:  Covanta Middlewich application – Pre-Inquiry Meeting held on 7 February 2011

The pre-inquiry meeting was held on Monday 7 February 2011 at the Middlewich Civic Hall, Civic Way, Middlewich, to allow the Planning Inspector to discuss procedural arrangements.  There was a strong turnout of local residents, which showed the Inspector that we are still concerned about this proposal. The Pubic Enquiry will start on Tuesday 8th March 2011.  See Cheshire East Council website for further details/timetable.

January 2011:  Planning Inquiry to consider Covanta Middlewich application – starting with Pre-Inquiry Meeting on 7 February 2011

Covanta failed in its attempt to bounce the Planning Inquiry into making a decision about the Middlewich incinerator before CHAIN and Cheshire East Council had time to properly prepare their case. The pre-Inquiry meeting will now be held on Monday 7 February 2011 at 2pm at the Middlewich Civic Hall, Civic Way, Middlewich.  The aim of this meeting is for the Planning Inspector to discuss procedural arrangements.  A strong turnout will show him that we are still concerned about this proposal. The Pubic Enquiry will start on Tuesday 8th March 2011.  See Cheshire East Council website for further details/timetable.

January 2011: Planning Committee to consider Brunner Mond incinerator on 10 February 2011.

Date now set for Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Strategic Planning Committee to consider  Brunner Mond’s application – Thursday 10 February 2011, at 4pm at the Lifestyle Centre, The Drumber, Winsford, Cheshire, CW7 1AD.  We need a large turn out to show the Committee the level of hostility to this application – put this date in your diary.  Please make your views known to your local councillors.).  Please make your views known to your local councillors.  Read the story in the Northwich Guardian here.

January 2010: Brunner Mond’s Public Meeting – Dismal Failure

The ‘public meeting’ organised by Brunner Mond/E-ON about their application to build a giant waste incinerator in Northwich took place on 18 January. It attracted a small audience most of whom were clearly opposed to the plan. In the interests of keeping the public informed, CHAIN has produced a brief summary here.

November 2010: 4000 Objection Letters Collected Against Brunner Mond Incinerator

After a second month of intensive objecting, CHAIN has been informed that DECC has recieved 4000 letters objecting to the plans by Brunner Mond/TATA to build a waste incinerator in Lostock Gralam. Read all the details here.

October 2010: Middlewich Incinerator Debate Discussed in Parliament

Fiona Bruce, MP for Congleton, led a debate in parliament on the 27th October, against the proposed incinerator in Middlewich. Read how the debate went here.

October 2010: Government Withdraw Funding for Cheshire Waste Plan

Read CHAIN’s reaction to DEFRA’s cancellation of PFI funding for the joint Cheshire West and Chester and Cheshire East municipal waste project here.

October 2010: Brunner Mond Advertise Plans Again, People of Cheshire Given Another Consultation Period

After a long wait, Brunner Mond finally re-issued their plans in the Northwich Guardian as required by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, due to their inadequate first attempt at the publishing their plans. The people of Cheshire now have 28 days- until the 29th of October to submit objections by email or letter. All previous objections still stand.

September 2010: Chancellor George Osborne ‘wholly opposed’ to Northwich waste incinerator

George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer, has set out his unambiguous views on the Brunner Mond waste incinerator which the giant multinational, TATA, wants to build in Lostock Gralam, Northwich, part of his Tatton constituency. Read extracts of his letter here.

July 2010: RRS and Viridor plans thrown out

Planning applications from RRS (Resource Recovery Solutions) and Viridor to build waste treatment plants in Northwich have been rejected by Cheshire Waste and Chester Council. RRS’ proposal was for a plant in Lostock that uses gasification technology and Viridor’s was for a plant in Wincham that uses mechanical and biological waste treatment. This decision makes it hard to see how the same council could approve a planning application from Brunner Mond. Read the story in the Northwich Guardian here.

June 2010: Covanta to build Ince Marshes incinerator

Peel Holdings has announced that it is partnering Covanta for its incinerator scheme at Ince Marshes. Under the arrangement, Covanta will be designing, building and operating the incinerator, which was granted planning permission last year. Read the full story here.

May 2010: new consultation timetable for Northwich proposal

Following a complaint by CHAIN that the press advertisements published byTATA/Brunner Mond regarding their planning application to build a large waste incinerator in Northwich were not in compliance with the statutory regulations, the Department of Energy and Climate Change has confirmed that the ads will be corrected and republished. This means that the consultation process, including the 28 day period allowed for the public to lodge objections, will recommence at a future date. Objections already submitted will stand. Read the full press release here.

March 2010:  Covanta appeals to central government

Although Cheshire East Council’s planning committee has not yet reached a decision on Covanta’s incinerator planning application for Middlewich, the US multi-national has submitted an appeal to central government, asking for a public inquiry. Read the press release issued by Covanta and CHAIN’s reaction here.

February 2010: Cheshire East declares opposition to Northwich incinerator

Cheshire East Council, a consultee on Brunner Mond’s planning application to build an incinerator in Northwich, has contacted the government’s Department of Energy and Climate Control (DECC) to state its opposition to the plan on the grounds that it is not needed in Cheshire. DECC is responsible for making the planning decision. The incinerator would actually be situated in Cheshire West, not Cheshire East, but as yet, Cheshire West and Chester council is sitting on the fence.

February 2010: five Cheshire West councillors pledge support

Five Cheshire West and Chester councillors have gone on the record as publicly supporting the campaign against the Northwich incinerator. They are councillors Terry and Kate Birtwistle, Jan Mashlan, Bob Thompson and Gareth Anderson. Their action is much appreciated by the local community and will not be forgotten. This still leaves a number of councillors who haven’t yet stated their position.

January 2010: 200 rally to public meeting

Nearly 200 people braved a cold and rainy night on Thursday 28^th January to attend a public protest meeting at Northwich Memorial Hall. A number of councillors from Cheshire West and Chester Council and local parishes were present. The prospective Conservative candidate for Weaver Vale, Graham Evans, was in the audience and stood up to pledge his opposition to the incinerator. The three local MPs George Osborne, Mike Hall and Stephen O’Brien have already stated their support for the CHAIN campaign. Click here to read the press release issued by CHAIN.

January 2010:  new revelations about Covanta’s US safety record

An investigation by the Irish Independent newspaper found that Covanta has been fined thousands of dollars and cited for emissions violations at a number of its US operations. Read the full story here.

December 2009: Covanta offers ‘bypass bribe’

Covanta, the US multinational planning to build a massive incinerator in Middlewich, has said it will contribute £2.5 million towards the construction of the much-wanted eastern bypass in Middlewich. As far as CHAIN is concerned, the offer is nothing more than a cynical ploy to tempt Cheshire East councillors to go against the wishes of the people of Middlewich by approving Covanta’s proposal. Read the statement issued by CHAIN and the breaking story in the Middlewich Guardian.

December 2009: George Osborne joins Northwich fight

on 1st December 2009, Tatton MP and Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne declared his ongoing support for the CHAIN campaign and became the first person to sign the petition against the Northwich incinerator. Read the full story here.

December 2009: Covanta shortlisted for Merseyside waste contract

On 3^rd December Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority (MWDA) announced that Covanta is one of the two companies shortlisted for its municipal waste incineration contract. It also became clear that the American multinational would intend to transport waste from Merseyside, which includes the City of Liverpool, to Middlewich if it is the ultimate winner. This is clearly very embarrassing for both the MWDA and Covanta because hitherto they have tried to keep their intentions secret but a breach of confidentiality has forced them to own up. Read the press release CHAIN issued and the breaking story in the Liverpool Daily Post.

October 2009: another attack on Northwich

Just nine months after CHAIN celebrated victory against WRG’s plans to build an incinerator in Lostock, Northwich is under attack again. CHAIN has learned that Brunner Mond intends to build a massive incinerator capable of burning nearly 600,000 tonnes of rubbish every year. The planned incinerator is so large that the decision will bypass the usual local authority route. CHAIN has pledged to fight the plans all the way. Read the statement released by CHAIN and the breaking story from the Northwich Guardian.

October 2009: Weaver Vale MP signs petition

The petition against Covanta’s application to build a waste incinerator in Middlewich gained its 8000th signature on 15th October when Mike Hall, MP for Weaver Vale, added his name. After signing at the Memorial Hall in Northwich, Mike Hall stated: “I am very pleased to join with the thousands of other members of the community in opposing the Covanta planning application. In my opinion, there is absolutely no justification for yet another incinerator in Cheshire and it would be a threat to public safety.”

September 2009: Covanta decision delayed

Cheshire East Council, whose Strategic Planning Group is responsible for refusing or approving the Covanta planning application in Middlewich, has indicated that the decision will not be made until November at the earliest, and may well be delayed until the New Year. The main reason for the delay is that Covanta have been given more time to provide further information.

August 2009: Ince Marshes gets government seal of approval

The Government announcement that it has approved plans for a 600,000 tonnes per annum incinerator at Ince Marshes close to Frodsham means that planning approval has now been granted for about 1.6 million tonnes of waste processing capacity, mainly incineration, in the Cheshire area. Read full story.

July 2009: Covanta goes for Merseyside waste contract

Covanta is on a shortlist of four companies competing to win the waste contract for Merseyside. The Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority (MWDA) will not disclose details of the bids but industry sources say Covanta is proposing to use Middlewich to burn the waste of 1.5 million Merseysiders. To find our more or complain, visit http://www.merseysidewda.gov.uk.

July 2009: opposition to Covanta plans builds

The number of signatures on the petition against the Middlewich incinerator has topped 8,000, Holmes Chapel council has registered an objection and local MP Lady Winterton has declared her opposition to the plans.

June 2009: Cheshire West opposes incinerator

Covanta’s plans for an incinerator in Middlewich were dealt another blow at the end of June when councillors from Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) voted unanimously against the proposals. Click here to read the full article in the Middlewich Guardian.

June 2009: Middlewich Town Council votes against incinerator proposal

The Middlewich Town Council Planning Committee voted against the Covanta proposal at its meeting on Tuesday 9th June. This sends a strong message to Cheshire East Council’s Strategic Planning Group, which is ultimately responsible for approving or refusing the planning application. Over 400 Middlewich residents showed up to the meeting to demonstrate the strength of local opposition to the plans, with one resident, Neil Wilson, giving a powerful speech to the committee. Read his speech here.

June 2009: Goostrey Parish Council lodges objection 

Goostrey Parish Council has submitted a formal objection to Covanta’s planning application. Click here to view the objection.

February 2009: Victory for CHAIN in Northwich

CHAIN is celebrating the news that the company behind the Northwich incinerator proposals is out of the running for the £850m contract to manage Cheshire’s waste.

WRG (Waste Recycling Group) wanted to build an incinerator on the former Brunner Mond site off Griffiths Road and was one of five candidates vying for a contract to manage Cheshire’s waste for the next 25 years. However, on 25February, three authorities – Cheshire County Council, Cheshire East Council and Cheshire West Council – announced that Viridor Waste Management and a joint venture between United Utilities and Interserve had been chosen as the shortlisted candidates for the contract. Read more.

September 2008: Runcorn incinerator gets Government go-ahead

On 16th September 2008, residents of Halton and Runcorn awoke to the news they had been dreading – Secretary of State Malcolm Wicks has granted planning permission to Ineos Chlor to build a 100Mw EfW (Energy from Waste) plant at Picow Farm Road, Weston Point, Runcorn. Click here for full story.

 

CHAIN Activity

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September 2011: SID & CHAIN meeting with Professor Paul Connett

On 15th September 2011 a world renowned speaker, Professor Paul Connett, gave a talk about the dangers of incineration at Northwich Victoria Football Club.

Professor Connett has spoken twice before in Northwich and if you have any doubt as to the safety of incineration as a waste disposal method this meeting was an eye opener. Hosted by Geoff Eden of SID (Stop Incineration in Disguise) this meeting gave the facts about what really happens to your waste when it gets burned.

Professor Connett has twice given presentations on behalf of CHAIN and is a world renowned speaker on waste minimisation and waste treatment.  You can read his professional resume by clicking here.

February 2011: Cheshire West & Chester Council vote to oppose Brunner Mond/E-On Incinerator

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Strategic Planning Committee met on 10 February 2011 in Winsford to decide whether to oppose this application to build a massive incinerator in Lostock, Northwich.  Despite the timing and location of the meeting, over 200 local residents filled the venue to hear the debate. Many speakers, including CHAIN’s chairman, local councillors, parish and town councillors, SID and most importantly local residents spoke passionately against the application.  They urged the committee to follow their planning officers’ recommendation and oppose the plan primarily on grounds that the proposal was contrary to the Cheshire Waste Strategy and there was no over-riding need for the incinterator in waste management terms.

The strategic planning committee voted to oppose the application.  As a result of the Council’s opposition to this application, the Secretary of State (SoS) for the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) will be obliged to call a mandatory public inquiry, prior to making the final decision on whether to approve this case or not.  We now await further announcements on taking this case to the next stage, and will publish details here as soon as we have them.

February 2011:  Covanta Middlewich application – Pre-Inquiry Meeting held on 7 February 2011

The pre-inquiry meeting was held on Monday 7 February 2011 at the Middlewich Civic Hall, Civic Way, Middlewich, to allow the Planning Inspector to discuss procedural arrangements.  There was a strong turnout of local residents, which showed the Inspector that we are still concerned about this proposal. The Pubic Enquiry will start on Tuesday 8th March 2011.  See Cheshire East Council website for further details/timetable

December 2010: Brunner Mond failed to attend public meeting

A PUBLIC meeting, organised by Cheshire West and Chester councillors (CWAC) to discuss Brunner Mond’s application for an incinerator was overshadowed by the company’s failure to attend.  CWAC councillors hoped representatives from both sides of the debate would join in at the meeting held on Tuesday 7 Dec 2011.

Brian Cartwright and Liam Byrne, from Cheshire Anti-Incinerator Network (CHAIN), gave a presentation at the event and anwered questions, but Brunner Mond sent a statement which said it had not agreed a date or format for the meeting with CWAC, and that key members of their project team were not available.

Clr Mark Stocks, who chaired the meeting, said: “There are a load of issues that haven’t been addressed – the Guardian each week carries stories and letters requesting information or questioning different viewpoints.   I’m disappointed Brunner Mond hasn’t seen fit to attend as there were a whole series of questions tabled.”  In his summary at the end of the meeting, Clr Stocks said: “The fact that so many people came out in the cold weather tonight indicates we made the right decision in running with this meeting.  Although I know people are disappointed they didn’t get chance to interrogate Brunner Mond, as local councillors we put the format together for a debate to take place. I believe Brunner Mond should have been here this evening.  I believe community representatives required Brunner Mond to attend, and residents would have expected them to defend and justify their application.”

October 2010: CHAIN Protest Outside Brunner Mond Public Presentation

On Tuesday 12th October, despite no invitation to present CHAIN’s views at the event (!!!), CHAIN representatives made their presence felt outside the event for all those members of the public who might have been seeking a more balanced presentation of the facts!

April 2010: opening of CHAIN store in Northwich

On 10th April, Martin Bell officially opened the ‘CHAIN store’ in Northwich. The idea of the store, which is located in Weaver Square, is to provide a ‘drop in’ facility for people to come in and write letters of objection against the Brunner Mond proposal, particularly if they are unsure of what to include in a letter or how to write it. The store is open throughout the month of April on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 10am until 3pm.

February 2010: lobbying Primary Care Trust

CHAIN has been highlighting the potential risks for the people of Cheshire of living close to a cluster of large incinerators to the Central and Eastern Cheshire Primary Care Trust (PCT). Never before have four incinerators been built in such close proximity to one another, so there is no medical research to show that such a concentration is safe. Read more about this here.

January 2010: 200 rally to public meeting

Nearly 200 people braved a cold and rainy night on Thursday 28^th January to attend a public protest meeting organised by CHAIN at Northwich Memorial Hall. A number of councillors from Cheshire West and Chester Council and local parishes were present. The prospective Conservative candidate for Weaver Vale, Graham Evans, was in the audience and stood up to pledge his opposition to the incinerator. The three local MPs George Osborne, Mike Hall and Stephen O’Brien have already stated their support for the CHAIN campaign. Click here to read the press release issued by CHAIN.

January 2010: setting the record straight about Covanta propaganda

In recent months, households in Middlewich have received ‘PR’ leaflets through their doors, extolling the purported benefits of Covanta’s incinerator plans. CHAIN felt there were a number of misleading statements within the leaflet, and has issued a leaflet which aims ensure the Middlewich community is properly informed about what an incinerator in their town will mean for them. View the leaflet here.

January 2010: collecting signatures against Northwich petition

On Friday 15th and Saturday 16th January, CHAIN gave people the opportunity to sign a petition opposing the Brunner Mond incinerator by holding a stall in Northwich town centre. More than 1000 signatures were collected in the space of just 10 hours – in excess of 100 per hour. Read the full press release here. Town centre stalls will be a regular feature of the campaign. If you would be willing to help man a stall in the coming months, please send us an email.

December 2009: meeting with George Osborne 

Representatives of CHAIN met with Tatton MP and Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne to brief him about the background to Brunner Mond’s plans for an incinerator in Northwich.

Mr Osborne declared his ongoing support for the CHAIN campaign and became the first person to sign the new CHAIN petition that has since been distributed throughout Northwich. Read the full story here

 

 

 

December 2009: demonstration at Brunner Mond exhibition 

On December 3rd 2009, CHAIN staged a demonstration at Lostock Social Club where Brunner Mond was holding an exhibition about its plans to build a large waste incinerator in Northwich.

There were over 40 demonstrators, equipped with banners and whistles, shouting anti-incinerator slogans and making lots of noise. The demonstration lasted over an hour and was given a good reception by passers by and motorists who tooted their car horns in support.

Click here to read the press release issued by CHAIN.

 

 

November 2009: writing to councillors and MPs

Following the revelation that Brunner Mond is to put planning permission in for an incinerator in Lostock Gralam, Northwich, CHAIN has written to every single borough councillor, MP and MEP, calling them to come out fighting for their constitutents. Read the letter here.

Autumn 2009: lobbying Tesco

As Middlewich residents will be aware, the Tesco distribution centre, where thousands of food products are stored, is a stone’s throw away from the planned incinerator. CHAIN has written several letters to Tesco, including to Sir Terry Leahy, drawing attention to the undesirable consequences that Covanta’s plans will have for this centre. These include the inevitable smell problem that even Covant admits will exist around the site. Read CHAIN’s letter to Sir Terry.

July 2009: presenting petitions to the Mayor

CHAIN presented the 7,500 petitions that have been signed by Middlewich residents in opposition to the Covanta proposals to Clr Margaret Simon, Mayor of Cheshire East, at a meeting on Friday 3rd July 2009.

In a speech to supporters, Brian Cartwright, chairman of CHAIN, thanked the mayor for giving the group the opportunity to display its level of objection against the plans. Click here  to read the full story in the Middlewich Guardian.

April 2009: Middlewich demo

On Tuesday 28th April, representatives from Covanta, the multinational behind the plans to build a giant incinerator in Northwich, were met by a 40-strong demonstration outside the Victoria Buildings as they went to give a presentation to town councillors in support of their application.

April 2009: Middlewich public meetings

Over 200 residents rallied against the controversial Covanta proposals at a public meeting at Middlewich Town Football Club on 30th April. The meeting, organised by CHAIN, informed residents about the issues a 370,000 tonne incinerator would bring to Middlewich, including traffic problems, health issues and falling house prices. A show of hands at the end of the meeting showed that virtually all who had attended were opposed to the Covanta plans.

March 2009: attending Middlewich town council meeting

On Monday 16 March, CHAIN supporters attended the Middlewich town council meeting to demonstrate that local residents are worried about Covanta’s plans for an incinerator. Two of the councillors there – Paul Edwards and Simon McGrory – are on the Cheshire East Planning Committee, which is the body responsible for deciding whether or not to grant planning permission. At the meeting, a letter from Covanta stating that their planning application had been submitted to Cheshire County Council was read out. The next town council meeting is on 20 April at 7:15pm at the Council Chamber, Victoria Buildings, Lewin Street, and CHAIN urges as many local residents as possible to attend.

October 2008: attending shadow council meetings

The Cheshire East Cabinet and the Cheshire West Executive meet monthly and at the start of the meetings there is a 10 minute slot for members of the public to ask questions. For the last few months members of the public who oppose the burning of waste have been attending meetings and asking questions about incineration and waste management in Cheshire. Click here to read some of the public’s questions and the council’s answers from these meetings.

July 2008: lobbying councillors

From April 2009. the number of councils in Cheshire will be reduced from seven to two: Cheshire East and Cheshire West. We’ve written to all the new councillors in both shadow councils to introduce CHAIN and the incineration issue. Click here to read the letter.

June 2008: Middlewich public meeting

Over 150 residents turned up to a public meeting at Middlewich Football Club on Thursday 5th June to hear about why Covanta’s proposal for a 390,000 tonne incinerator is a bad thing for Middlewich, and to find out more about what they can do to oppose plans.

If you’re a Middlewich resident and would like to do something to stop these plans going ahead, please encourage friends, neighbours and colleagues to sign a petition against the incinerator. You can contact CHAIN for copies of the petition or download a copy here. We also urge people to write to their MPs, councillors and local newspapers so they know how the people of Middlewich feel about having an incinerator on their doorstep.