Tough talk on waste plant smells
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ALAWYER has issued an ultimatum to Runcorn incinerator operator Viridor over allegations made by residents relating to problems such as smells and noises they say are caused by the plant.
Doug Fraser, of Silverman Livermore, said he had now invited Viridor representatives to ‘thrash out’ the issues and settlement for those living in the immediate vicinity of the massive energy-fromwaste (EfW) plant, the largest of its type in the UK.
Mr Fraser is acting on behalf of 153 households whose occupants say their quality of life has been blighted by odours, noise, steam, smoke and dust connected to the function of the plant, aggravated by the ‘unexpected nature’ of when problems arise.
House values have also been hit, he said, adding that the residents’ goal is not to win a financial settlement but they want ‘those nuisances stopped’.
However, his own intention is to win them compensation for how ‘they’ve suffered’.
Mr Fraser said that the plant was initially given permission to burn refuse-derived fuel pellets, but that had been changed to allow it to burn general black bin unprocessed waste.
An invitation has been issued to Viridor’s lawyers Berrymans Lace Mawer, based in London, to either agree to discussions and compensation, or face the matter being taken to independent mediation or if needed to the High Court, which Mr Fraser said could delay any resolution to the matter to two years in the future.
Mr Fraser has been acting for residents, gathering evidence and complaints for several years, having called for a dialogue with Viridor as far back as 2014. ●
He has previously fought and won cases including a class action in which he won £4m for furious householders in north Liverpool in the Sandon Dock sewage plant dispute – also triggered by complaints relating to bad smells.
Whereas noises can be recorded and steam can be photographed, he said diaries kept by residents are vital to demonstrating that quality of life has been harmed by odour.
Mr Fraser said he hopes to hear from Viridor or its representatives by July 9.
He said: “One-hundred- and- fifty- three householders have joined a scheme because of problems they’re having with emissions from the plant, involving noise, steam, dust and smell.
“We’re in correspondence with a firm, Berryman Lace Mawer, in London.
“We’d written a long catalogue of concerns, not to seek after compensation but they want those nuisances stopped.
“The plant appears not to be working efficiently.
“At the planning stage, Ineos said there wouldn’t be any undue emissions such as smoke and steam and dust yet there’s masses of evidence there.
“They seem to be burning black bin waste, they were permitted to burn pellets.”
Mr Fraser added: “They (residents) can go for days with no problem then all of a sudden there is a smell of rotting vegetation.
“It’s the anticipation of the unknown which, when the judge comes to assess it, is a significant factor.”
A Viridor spokesman said: “Viridor works hard to be a responsible neighbour.
“The Runcorn energy recovery facility (ERF), like all sites of its kind, is fully permitted and consented, and operates under strict regulations to protect the environment and public health.
“There has been no enforcement action taken against it.
“The nature of the waste processed at the site has not changed since the start of operations.
“The Runcorn ERF site makes a significant contribution to the Halton economy.”