Welcome to CHAIN

There are currently proposals from several commercial organisations to build incinerators for burning waste in Cheshire. CHAIN is a group of volunteers who are committed to preventing these plans from going ahead as we believe they will have dire environmental and economic consequences as well as posing considerable health risks to residents in Cheshire.

We owe it to future generations to object to these plans and fight for a better environment.

Northwich Public Inquiry Finished Nov 2011

- Read the Chairman’s Closing Speech

If you would like to read CHAIN’s closing statement on behalf of the people of Northwich then simply click here.

CHAIN have made it clear throughout this process that were it not for the overwhelming support of the people of Northwich and the surrounding areas then the fight would have been over long ago. The resilience shown by everyone, particularly anyone who took time out to come to the Inquiry and those who spoke in defence of the town, has been heartwarming.

The final decision now lies with the Inspector and ultimately the Secretary of State. All we can do is hope that the case put by the volunteers of CHAIN and the local residents who took so much of their own time to raise this defence, counts for something against the extraordinarily well paid QC’s and Barristers and all the legal team wheeled out by TATA/EON.

CHAIN now awaits the outcome of both the Middlewich and the Northwich Public Inquiries and will post any news here as it arises.

Thank you to everyone for all your time, effort and support.

NORTHWICH

On 28th February 2010 Brunner Mond lodged a planning application to build a massive incinerator on Griffiths Road, Lostock Gralam, capable of burning nearly 600,000 tonnes of rubbish every year. Visit our dedicated page for more details of the TATA(Brunner Mond/E-On proposal.

Strategic Planning Committee Decision 

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Strategic Planning Committee voted in Feb 2011 to oppose Brunner Mond/E-Ons application to build this massive incinerator.  A webcast of the Strategic Planning Meeting is now available on the Cheshire West and Chester Council website.  As a result of the Council’s opposition, the Secretary of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change will be obliged to call a mandatory public inquiry, prior to making the final decision on whether to approve this case or not.

The Pre-Inquiry meeting for the Lostock Gralam incinerator took place on 26 July 2011.  The location was Northwich Victoria Football Club.  The Inspector was be Elizabeth Hall.

The Public Inquiry started on 11 October 2011.  The location was at the Northwich Victoria Football Club.

Next meeting for Northwich campaigners: 2nd February 2012, Bowling Green Pub, London Road, Northwich. All are welcome as we update the campaign and plan for the final stages before the Public Inquiry result.

MIDDLEWICH

Covanta has put in plans to build a giant 370,000 tonne incinerator in Middlewich. Read more on our dedicated page for proposed sites.

Public Inquiry for Middlewich – Closed Oct 2011:

Read the Chairman’s Closing speech

Covanta failed in its attempt to bounce the Planning Inquiry into making a decision about the Middlewich incinerator before CHAIN and Cheshire East Council had time to properly prepare their case.

The ongoing Pubic Inquiry re-started on Tuesday 17 May 2011, and recommenced on 3rd October 2011 at 2pm.  The Inquiry was held at the Council Chambers, Municipal Buildings, Earle Street, Crewe.  It started at 9.30am each morning but the first day was 2pm.

Next meeting for Middlewich campaigners: 9th December 2011, 7.30PM at the Boars Head.