Council paves the way for recycling centre (From Warrington Guardian)

Council paves the way for recycling centre

CHILDREN'S health is at risk if a recycling centre is given the go ahead in Winsford, according to a school governor and councillor.

Plans to build the facility near to schools, a medical centre and homes at Woodford Park have been fiercely contested, with many believing it could have serious consequences.

Peter Gaskell, chair of governors at Hebden Green School, said: "We have children with complex health needs and respiratory problems so this is something we are extremely concerned about.

"We submitted a letter of objection and hopefully they will take it into consideration."

Borough and county councillor Pam Booher is also fighting to stop the development.

She said: "There are schools there and we don't know what sort of impact it will have on the children.

"Some children have breathing difficulties and things like that so we need to know for sure what effects this facility will have before anything is decided.

"I shall be fighting with the action groups to get this stopped and will be making representations at full council to try to achieve that."

The scheme hinges on whether or not Vale Royal Borough Council will sell land at the proposed site to Cheshire County Council. Objectors were celebrating last week when a borough council steering group recommended the land should not be sold.

But in a meeting on Thursday evening the Executive Group overruled that decision by making a recommendation to Vale Royal Borough Council to invite Cheshire County Council to apply for planning permission.

Clr Booher said: "I was on the steering group and I voted in favour of not selling the land but I wasn't in the least bit surprised when the Executive Group decided otherwise."

Lisa Bennett, chairman of Woodford Against Site Tipping for the Environment (WASTE), said: "It is a disappointment for us but we will keep fighting this and are confident we can prevent it from being built."

The recommendation to invite Cheshire County Council to seek planning approval will go before full council on February 24.