Still time to protest over huge gas plant scheme (From Warrington Guardian)

Still time to protest over huge gas plant scheme

OBJECTORS to a massive underground gas storage plant in Northwich are to get more time to have their say.

Cheshire County Council has revealed that more than 200 residents had written before the statutory 21-day consultation, which closed last Wednesday.

David Adams, case planning officer, said: "This application is so huge that it is unrealistic to expect people to digest the masses of information and write a considered objection in just three weeks.

"I'm encouraged by the quality of responses we have received so far, and they highlight a whole range of issues that we will be looking into."

Mr Adams said letters would be accepted right up to the decision day but urged residents not to delay sending in their objections.

County councillor George Mainwaring said: "We need everybody to get behind the six parish councils directly affected by the proposal.

"The public meeting at Lach Dennis proved opposition is strong.

"I just hope people build on that and register their unhappiness."

A decision is expected in the summer on INEOS Enterprises' proposal for a gas storage facility which, when fully operational, will consist of up to 28 underground caverns holding a maximum 540 million cubic metres of gas.