COUNCILLORS will be watching the appeal process ‘like hawks’ after it was announced tip bosses FCC have appealed against the council’s refusal of a five-year extension at Arpley.

The application for the company to continue dumping rubbish at the Sankey Bridges landfill site was rejected in January this year following plans for a 12-year extension being turned down 12 months earlier.

It is thought a second appeal has been submitted in case FCC lose their initial appeal over the 12-year extension following an inquiry in February this year.

Clr Steve Parish (LAB - Bewsey and Whitecross) said the result of the 12-year appeal was expected by September and the fate of this latest appeal would probably be clearer then.

He added: "Whatever FCC try, residents want the tip closed as soon as possible.

“We've made the case that there's no need for tipping to continue and hope the planning inspector and the Secretary of State agree." Nick Bent, parliamentary Labour candidate for Warrington South, added: "Labour Councillors and I are watching the appeal process like hawks and nothing less than the permanent closure of Arpley is acceptable to long-suffering residents."

Landfill operators FCC have argued the tip is still needed.