CAMPAIGNERS against a proposed chemical dump are furious they now have to write hundreds of protest letters all over again.

The residents are aiming to halt plans by consortium company Minosus to use the disused Winsford Salt Mine Shaft Four, Bostock, as a chemical waste disposal site.

John Prescott has called in the application and called for a public inquiry, but the planning inspectorate in Bristol now wants residents to write and raise their objections.

However, Residents Against Mine Pollution and other individuals have already done this on three occasions, but the Government Office will not forward these letters.

RAMP Chairman Peggy Kent said: "We wrote to the county council, North West Government Office and John Prescott himself and now they want it in triplicate to go to Bristol. We think it is really unfair. Why can't these letters be forwarded?"

Murray Farquhar from the North West Government Office Planning Department said the matter is a procedural argument which they are working on.

He added: "This matter is still being debated, but the letter is partly to confirm if there are any comments, objections or support for the application.

"It is also to let the planning inspector know whether or not they wish to attend the inquiry."

A date has yet to be announced for the inquiry, but the factors to be considered were released on Friday.

Mr Prescott will be looking at the suitability of the site, whether the application accords with the local development plan, environmental impact, subsidence risk, traffic, visual impact and planning conditions.

Residents who wish to raise their representations over the Minosus plan should write to: Marcia Dean, The Planning Inspectorate, PINS AA7, 3/17 Eagle Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN.

The letter should be in triplicate so enclose the original with two photocopies if possible.