RESIDENTS in Sankey Bridges are celebrating after the Government threw out plans for an extension to the life of Arpley tip.

The Government has confirmed today, Friday, it has backed a planning inspector and Warrington Borough Council decision to stop the tip being used for an extra 12 years.

The scheme has been turned down at both the Town Hall and a planning inquiry.

And the Secretary of State has now confirmed he agrees and has told FCC/3C Waste that their appeal has been refused.

If permission has been granted, the tip would have stayed open until 2025.

It is not all good news though as a planning application to keep the tip open for a shorter amount of time is still being considered.

David Mowat, Warrington South MP, said: "I'm delighted that both Eric Pickles and the Planning Inspector now agree with local residents here in Warrington.

"They have had to put up with this site for long enough.

"I'd like to congratulate all those residents and councillors who have campaigned tirelessly with me to help achieve today's result.

“Clearly this decision will have an influence on the other appeals and most mean there is every chance it will close within the next 18 month to two years.

“I would be surprised if that did not happen.”

Nick Bent, Labour parliamentary candidate for Warrington South, said: "This is an eviction notice for FCC, who have been a bad neighbour for too long, and I warmly congratulate residents and Labour councillors who have campaigned tirelessly to get justice.” 

Campaigners living near the tip have also been celebrating and thanking everyone involved for coming together to halt the plans. 

Norman Cromtpon, from the Arpley Landfill Opposition Group, added: "There are many people I want to thank right now for making this day happen.

"You all know who you are and we can all be very proud of ourselves. A great team effort!

"Hopefully, one day, Forrest Way and Barnard Street will be a safe road for our children to cycle on and walk to and from school and residents on Old Liverpool Road, Liverpool Road and other neighbouring roads will be quieter and vibration free."

Councillor Pat Wright (LAB – Bewsey & Whitecross ward) confirmed more than £70,000 had been spent on barristers and other experts to fight the appeal but also praised volunteers who had formed opposition groups. 

She added: “This decision confirms that we were right to fight for the refusal of planning permission to operate the site for a further twelve years and will help residents have a better quality of life."

Clr Jean Carter (LAB-Great Sankey South) added they would not be 'resting on their laurels' and would be working with council officers to 'robustly defend' the decision to refuse planning permission to operate the site for a further five years.

An appeal inquiry on the decision is scheduled for the beginning of 2015 and Alan Bulpin, regional planning and permit manager at tip operators FCC Environment, said that would now be the company's focus.

He added: “We are disappointed that the appeal against the rejection of Arpley landfill’s 12 year extension has been unsuccessful. Despite an increase in recycling rates, the facility is still necessary to meet the region’s waste management needs.

 “The landfill site’s closure should be managed responsibly – it cannot just cease operations as this would leave a landform which is environmentally unacceptable.

"The original application, which was rejected by Warrington Council, should have been approved as it would have enabled us to deliver the full restoration plan for the site.

 “We are currently reviewing our options to achieve a sustainable long-term restoration solution for Arpley landfill.

"Our focus now is to appeal the decision regarding the five year extension to the site’s operational life.”