Council rejects ‘toxic smog’ fear
COUNCIL officers have rejected fears that a bid to install a fume hood at a chemical testing laboratory in Runcorn could lead to spiralling emissions and “toxic smog”.
Metrohm UK Limited, based on Evenwood Close on the southern edge of Manor Park, wants to fit the extraction system to ensure staff are protected when analysing substances labelled as “hazardous” in a well-ventilated space.
Sandymoor Parish Council has raised “concern” and sought more information over a raft of issues connected to the project, including seeking an assurance that the firm doesn’t “drastically increase” its emissions in the future.
It said the initial application implied that only “small amounts” would be released but questioned how “confident” residents could be that “fumes released by the development won’t vastly exceed those that are estimated in the written statement”.
The concerns featured in a report published ahead of Halton Borough Council’s development management committee meeting at Runcorn Town Hall on March 1.
In its representation, the parish council added: “If the Metrohm extraction system started belching out clouds of toxic smog, we doubt that the residents of Sandymoor would be happy about it.”
Other concerns included the site’s proximity to Evenwood Farm pub and restaurant, which is about 90 metres away.
Halton Council’s report said the fume hood is intended to remove chemical fumes, vapours and dust from the laboratory while making a “minimal impact” on the environment and aesthetics of the area.
It said a written statement from
Metrohm stated the “technical” and “skilled” work involved would be “developmental”, and therefore only deal with “small volume, low sample numbers” with an “extremely low level of volatiles” to be ventilated compared to an industrial lab.
It said it was estimated that less than 10 millilitres per hour - a cubic centimetre - of solvent such as methanol would be extracted into nearly 2,800 cubic metres of air.
The report said a “Councillor Bradshaw” - without specifying if this referred to Cllr John or Marjorie Bradshaw - had raised similar concern to the parish council and attended a meeting to discuss them.
Following comment from Halton’s environmental protection officer (EPO), planning officers have recommended the scheme for approval.
They added that the nearest homes are 110 metres away on Warrington Road.
The council’s EPO said: “In terms (of ) possible emissions from the extraction system, the applicant has indicated these will be solvents such as methanol at very low levels, and so would not require any form of further control from the environmental health department.”
In its conclusion, the report said: “The proposed development would assist the function and operations of an existing business. The proposed development would have a minimal visual impact on the immediate area.
“The council’s environmental protection officer has no objection to the proposed development and has assessed the submitted plans and information in terms of noise and emission pollution.
“The proposal is considered to accord with the development plan and would contribute to the achievement of sustainable development in Halton.”