New use planned for ‘eyesore’ site
JON MACPHERSON
AN ‘eyesore’ former chemicals site which has been plagued by flytipping and arson problems could be brought back into use.
Plans have been drawn up to turn part of the former Nipa Laboratories site on Nook Lane in Oswaldtwistle into a stone cutting business.
The site hit the headlines in the summer of 2012 after more than 13,000 tonnes of rubbish, including nappies and human waste, were dumped there and was blamed for an outbreak of flies in the area.
Two men and a company were later convicted.
Documents sent to Hyndburn council by planning agents Fitzgerald Planning and Design, on behalf of the applicant CRS Demolition, said the scheme would help make the site more secure.
They said: “The site provided employment for many local people and was known as Cocker Chemicals.
“Clariant took over the site and the business and closed in 2006. The site has suffered from fly tipping and arson attacks in 2012. We consider that the proposed operations are acceptable having regard to the generally commercial/industrial character of the surrounding area.
“The continued use will increase security presence and more natural surveillance and what is a vulnerable location.”
Under the plans, the stone cutting operation would be based on an area of hardstanding land to the south of the site and use a steel frame building which once housed chemical processing tanks.
The planning agents said: “The proposed scheme is for the re-use of the existing steel frame building on site for various stone cutting equipment.
“The current building on site is in a poor state of repair and is need of general repair and maintenance. The proposal does not include any extension in the footprint of the existing building.
“The applicant intends to use the site and machinery 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.”
Ward councillor Glen Harrison welcomed the scheme. He said: “It’s quite an eyesore now it’s been left derelict and it’s been like that for a long time.
“If there’s somebody on there maintaining it and policing it then that could stop the flytipping issues there.”
A decision will be made by the council in the next few months.