Planning permission for landfill in Heywood granted

Date article online: 23/10/2006

Members of 'Heywood Against Landfill' have today received the shocking news that the government inspector who held the public enquiry in August has now granted planning permission for landfill and a equestrian centre on the green belt land at Hares Hill Road.

Councillor Carol Wardle, a member of Heywood Against Landfill, who has campaigned relentlessly against the Landfill proposal, summed up the feelings of Heywood residents after hearing the decision, she said: "I and all our members feel totally gutted, we thought we had done enough to prevent the landfill but we couldn't afford a top barrister like the Earl of Wilton's Estates could.

"The only good news is that the inspector did not award costs against us or the council."

Councillor Peter Rush added: "I am shocked at this decision but welcome the news that the Planning Inspectorate hasn’t forced us to fork out the costs of the enquiry.  It is quite clear that the law offers absolutely no protection against this and I hope that Jim Dobbin MP can make calls in Parliament for planning law to be less stacked up in favour of the applicant.  The Heywood Township now needs to look at this and see how we can minimalise the impact on the residents of Heywood.  We have to accept the decision now and maybe sit round a table with the applicants to come up with sensible suggestions on the way forward.  I would like to pay tribute to the campaigners, including Councillor Carol Wardle, who have fought a great campaign."

Heywood MP Jim Dobbin MP said: "The news that the application has been approved on appeal - is devastating.

"Heywood residents fought an excellent campaign and we all thought  the case against the application was strong enough to prevent the decision going against us.

"We must examine the judgement closely to see if there is anything we can do to limit the impact on our community."

A meeting of all members of Heywood Against Landfill is to be held on Tuesday 31 October at 7.00pm. at the Heywood Magic Market Suite.