‘Overwhelming’ opposition to waste site expansion as hundreds sign petition

A petition opposing the expansion of a controversial waste transfer site near residential homes has surpassed 1,000 signatures.

Frustrated residents in Bacup have signed an online petition calling on residents to oppose Rossendale Council’s planning application which proposes to upgrade its waste transfer station on Henrietta Street. Bacup resident Mark Dexter created the petition which racked up more than 1,000 signatures in just 48 hours, nearing its 1,500 goal.

He also created the Facebook page ‘Bacup residents against the waste transfer plan’ which attracted more than 800 members in just two days. Residents were also due to be peacefully protesting outside Rossendale Borough Council’s offices at Futures Park, Bacup on Friday (January 3)

Mark said: “The amount of people signing the petition and joining the group in such a short space of time demonstrates the discontent and anger people feel. It really shows the unity of the local community and response to this has been overwhelming.

“You only have to look online to see people’s response to this and I am sure there have been hundreds of objections sent to the council’s planning department email. The council cabinet’s silence is deafening.”

The proposed change of the site layout includes the demolition of some buildings to be replaced with a single larger unit which will include waste storage bays. Rossendale Council previously told LancsLive that the proposed improved facility is a ‘necessary response’ following Lancashire County Council’s decision to discontinue the use of the Whinney Hill site, where the council currently send waste for processing.

An artist’s impression of a the upgraded waste transfer station in Henrietta Street, Bacup

The planning, design and access statement states it is anticipated the proposal will process up to 50,000 tonnes of waste per annum. Waste includes: food and general waste, paper and card, glass, cans and plastics, street sweepings, waste electrical and electronic equipment, white goods, scrap metal and tyres.

Mark says his main concern is over pollution and contamination to the area. He added: “It is a small waste transfer station at the moment with storage facilities for bins and logistical items but the proposal will turn it into around five times its size.”

However, the council said it expects to reduce transportation-related emissions and decrease the need for longer waste-hauling journeys by 150 tons by localising waste processing handling. People living on Rochdale Road have been particularly vocal, saying they already have to battle with vermin, foul smells and unsightly views.

More than 80 objections have been filed in response to the planning application which can be seen on Rossendale council’s planning application online portal. Mark says although he lives just off Pennine Road and is not in the immediate vicinity of the site, he recognises the potential impact an upgrade to the site could have for the whole of Bacup.

Mark continued: “Bacup is 1,000 metres above sea level so wind is quite impressive. The smells from the waste transfer centre will travel in Bacup and the wider valley.

“We have had really bad flooding in the town centre, particularly around Heys Street and Henrietta Street and the River Irwell runs right along this proposal which could potentially be on a floodplain now. People have been challenging the site as far back as 2021 and raising concerns over the council’s inability to manage waste effectively at the current site.”

Images of rubbish scattered across the grounds at the back of Rossendale Council’s waste transfer station on Henrietta Street

Mark also believes expanding the site also means more HGVs with heavy loads of waste passing through the area, which he says would only exacerbate traffic congestion, noise and smell.

The transport statement reads: “The site currently generates 358 HGV movements (two-way) between Monday and Friday. This equates to about 70 vehicle movements per day. These movements are distributed between Henrietta Street and Heys Street.

“The proposed development is estimated to add 4no new HGV movements to Henrietta Street and 20no HGV movements to Heys Street. This will represent about a one-third increase to existing movements.

“However, the vast majority of new HGV movements will take place outside of the AM and PM peak hours for the local highway network and is unlikely to create any perceptible change to the operation, functioning and safety of the local highway network.”

Residents also argue the expansion of the site will have a negative impact on the environment and businesses in the area including the new Aldi being built at the former Forest Mill site on Henrietta Street. The protest had been organised for Friday (January 3), at Futures Park, Bacup.

The petition can be found on change.org on the page titled ‘Bacup residents objection to the development of the RBC waste transfer site in town’. Rossendale Council were contacted for comment on the matter.

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Image Credits and Reference: https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/overwhelming-opposition-waste-site-expansion-30691427