Lib Dems: against tipping on Birks Quarry & the extension of High Moor

Local Councillors discussing opposition to the extension of High Moor Tip with Elwyn Watkins

Liberal Democrat Councillors are continuing their campaign against the use of sites near people's houses for waste tips.

"Liberal Democrat Councillors have been campaigning alongside local residents against Birk's Quarry and extensions to High Moor tip for many years," said Elwyn Watkins.

"They have objected to these tips, and the proposal at Coal Pit Lane at every stage.

"Thanks to the hard work of residents and councillors, the use of Birk's Quarry has been rejected, and we are fighting for the same to happen in High Moor and Coal Pit Lane.

"I am drafting plans to present to conference to ensure that Liberal Democrat policy is to outlaw the use of sites like these as tips.

"This is in stark contrast with Labour, who have failed to do anything in 12 years of government, even though one Oldham MP was the Minister responsible for the environment!

"It is a bit rich for Phil Woolas to claim credit when it is local people and councillors who have done all the work, even though he had the power!"

Recent news on Birks' Quarry

• Local residents, Councillors, Council Officers, Saddleworth Parish Council and the Birks Quarry Action Group (made up of local residents and councillors) all objected strongly to the proposal and request for a permit to tip inert waste in Birks Quarry, Lees has been refused.

• The Birks Quarry Action Group, chairmed by Councillor Beeley, has met on a regular basis

• The Councillors have organised meetings between the Action Group and officers,a nd the Environment Agency

• Organised a poster campaign with the Action Group

• Achieved goal of having Birks Quarry removed from list of potential tip sites in GMWDA consultation document

Previous action taken relating to Birks Quarry

• Prior to this, over the last two years:

• The individual Ward Councillors all lodged written objections with the Environment Agency

• Councillors from adjacent Waterhead Ward (Cllrs Knox, Thompson and Dawson) have also been involved - writing letters of objection and attending the public meeting

• Oldham Council has raised objections with the Environment Agency within the given time frame

• The Legal Department of Oldham Council is looking at the history and legality of the Planning Permission

• Saddleworth West & Lees Councillors Barbara Beeley and Val Sedgwick raised the issue of possible tipping in Birks Quarry with the Environment Agency as far back as August 2007. They visited the quarry to investigate local residents' concerns that gates and fencing had been put at the entrance to Birks Quarry. At that time it was agreed with the Environment Agency that they would inform Cllr Beeley if there were any proposals concerning the site. The Environment did not do this.

• During a consultation period in August 2008 from GMGU Cllr Beeley wrote a submission on behalf of all the Ward Cllrs, that Birks Quarry be removed from a list of proposed landfill sites. This is still ongoing

• As soon as we were alerted to the latest proposals by a concerned resident, we took action. Cllr Heffernan contacted the Environment Agency for details

• Councillors Alan Roughley, Mike Buckley and Derek Heffernan had a meeting with representatives of the Environment Agency in December to register their objections

• Councillors Heffernan and Beeley made a site visit on December 29th, 2008, with a representative from the Environment Agency, to point out the absurdity of the proposals

• In January 2009, Councillors Beeley, Lord and Sedgwick had a meeting with the representatives of the Environment Agency. They too raised strong objections to any proposals to use Birks Quarry for any kind of tipping

• In early January, Cllr Beeley arranged for a copy of the draft permit to be lodged in Lees Library so that residents did not have to go to Chadderton if they wanted to view it

• On 22nd January the Ward Councillors organised a public meeting. This was to give residents the chance to express their views to the Environment Agency. The Ward Councillors insisted that the attendees at that meeting should also have the opportunity to write down comments and questions which had not been answered at that meeting. These were then handed in to the Environment Agency.