Decision ends 18-month battle over site
THE decision to refuse permission for the recycling centre brings a lengthy 18-month battle by residents to a successful conclusion - for now at least.
First Choice Waste and Metals submitted its application for the Withyfold Drive site in March 2020 - wanting to use it for 25,000 tonnes of waste a year.
It was said this would comprise 15,000 tonnes of construction waste and 10,000 from ‘municipal sources’, with no more than 1,000 tonnes on site at any given time.
But residents in the area objected immediately with concerns, including increased traffic and danger from large lorries on narrow roads, as well as noise, smells and pollution in a residential area.
Hurdsfield Primary also objected, saying the safety of children would be jeopardised.
At the Cheshire East Council meeting resident Martin Raymond spoke out. He said the vehicle recovery business that previously occupied the site had relocated 12 years ago because the premises could not sustain it as it grew.
Mr Raymond said: “It was unworkable to run higher volumes of traffic on residential roads - precisely what Henshaw’s are proposing to do. Note that the applicant chose to sell off most of their existing site for housing, so the circumstance is entirely of their own making.”
After the meeting, another objector, who did not want to be named, said: “The major concern is that Withyfold Drive is a narrow road; people have moved there over the years because it is a quiet area.
“There are old people’s bungalows and children up here. It is downright dangerous when lorries try to negotiate the corner; there are large ruts on the grass verges.
“There are people who don’t have the facility to get online and protest, otherwise there would have been more. I saw one woman with children on Withyfold break down in tears (at the proposals).
“People are relieved, but mindful of the fact they could appeal - hopefully they will cut their losses.”