Waste site protesters celebrate decision (From Warrington Guardian)

Waste site protesters celebrate decision

RESIDENTS in Winsford are celebrating after proposals to build a waste disposal site near to homes, schools and a medical centre were recommended for refusal.

Vale Royal Borough Council's social review committee has recommended that land at the proposed site at Woodford Park should not be sold to Cheshire County Council.

The news has come as a major boost to the action group Woodford Against Site Tipping for the Environment (WASTE).

WASTE chairman Lisa Bennett said: "I am absolutely delighted about this and so are a lot of other people.

"Although it is not definite I am hopeful it won't be happening as it has been recommended for refusal."

Furious residents started a petition in December last year after Cheshire County Council announced plans for the waste disposal centre near to Winsford Neuromuscular Centre.

Lisa said: "It is a health and safety issue and would have serious consequences for people living and working in that area.

"I will now write a letter to the executive group on behalf of WASTE indicating that we fully support the recommendation of the social review committee.

"We have worked very hard to try to get this stopped and it looks like our efforts may be paying off.

"It really is great news for us all."

The executive group will meet on Thursday to discuss the recommendation of the social review committee.

A spokeswoman for Cheshire County Council said: "We are still waiting to officially hear from Vale Royal Borough Council as to whether or not they will sell the land."

Lisa said: "I don't want to build everyone's hopes up too much at this stage but it certainly looks like this will not go ahead.

"It has been a huge struggle for us to stop this because at one stage it looked extremely likely."