Green light for extension to landfill operation that will help create new nature park – Gary Skentelbery

PLANNERS have given the green light for an extension to landfill operations, that by default will create a new nature park and protected habitat for great crested newts and other wildlife, on land at Woolston Eyes, close to Thelwall Viaduct.

Churchill Enviro Ltd has been given a three-year extension to their existing consent by Warrington Borough Council planners for deposit ground No 1, south of the River Mersey and north of the Manchester Ship Canal.

There had been opposition by Woolston and Rixton Parish Council who had registered to speak against because they wanted to make sure that they would be consulted about similar applications in future by the Borough Council.

They also wanted it noted that they needed to be involved in who can have access rights to the landfill site when it becomes a Nature Park in 2025. Having made their points they said that they had no objections to the planning application.

Cllr Mark Jervis asked about the type of landfill being used and wanted this clarified. The WBC officer immediately discussed this with the applicants representative. Assurance was given that the waste used for landfill would be inert and unlikely to give rise to environmental pollution or harm human health.

Cllr Bob Bar congratulated everyone especially officers, for the presentation and clarifications which made it clear what the processes and outcomes were going to be. He also said that he used to live in the area and had seen many positive outcomes from the landfill projects.

Former councillor and planning committee member Geoff Settle spoke about his ecology, environmental and planning experiences in this area of Warrington. These included the campaign against the Rixton Clay Pigeon Shooting Club, Colliers landfill extension and being a Woolston Parish Footpath Warden.

He said he knew the place and people well. The noise and dust would be managed from its position alongside a footpath to generate less noise than the clay pigeon guns. The additional time given to Colliers had been granted because industrial waste had been reduced in content and frequency as a direct consequence of successful national campaign to recycle such products. This had a direct impact on Colliers timescales and impacted their landfill operation, hence the need for an extension.

Cllr Judith Wheeler asked what would happen if this application was not approved. She was told that if it was rejected some of the wildlife gains already realised would, unfortunately, be at risk.

Mr Settle, Chair of the Warrington Nature Conservation Forum said that this was not an acceptable option and that the three-year extension needed to be approved. In addition, he welcomed, further protection for the Nature Park under the custodianship of the Woolston Eyes Conservation Group who have performed the role successfully for the Woolston Eyes Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for the last 40 years.

He also mentioned the nearby successful Rixton Clay Pit SSSI, a reclaimed clay quarry that had been brought back to life as a home to the great crested newt, dragonflies, insects, and butterflies. It is less than a mile away from the new Nature Park. In fact, he had visited the place only a few days before and seen many butterflies, insects and dragon flies emerging in the warmth of the sunshine.

Mr Settle commented: As I was leaving, I glanced at the blackboard where visitors record their wildlife sightings and was amazed, someone had seen North Americans Bigfoot! This is something rarely seen anywhere in the world by a handful of people. Whilst it needs verifying by experts there were more credible sightings on the board such as speckled wood butterfly, water shrew, black sheep, robin, and reed warbler, who knows what will be seen at the New Nature Park!

He added: It should be noted that the term Nature Park is not used as meaning open to everyone. Its access will be restricted, and nature conservation will become the principal focus so that the wildlife is protected and managed.

Hopes for a new nature park to be created

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Green light for extension to landfill operation that will help create new nature park - Gary Skentelbery