The Public Inquiry into the proposed TATA/EON incinerator in Northwich opened on Tuesday 11th October 2011 at Northwich Victoria Football Club in Wincham. Opening statements were made by all the interested parties – you can read the CHAIN opening statement delivered by Brian Cartwright, CHAIN Chairman, here.

The Middlewich Public Inquiry closed on Friday 7th October after hearing closing speeches from the main parties involved.  Brian Cartwright, Chairman of CHAIN gave an eloquent closing statement which you can read here, in which he outlines the case against building an incinerator in Middlewich.  All we can do now is wait for the Inspector’s report and see whether we have done enough to prevent this monstrosity being built in the town.

A very good question, and one we’re often asked by people who have seen the plans and the lovely artists impressions of the plant that TATA want to build on the edge of town.  After all, on the plans and the artist impressions you could be forgiven for thinking that they would hardly be noticeable.

In an attempt to give some scale and perspective to this answer CHAIN have created the first mobile chimney in the UK and let this chimney fly.  Sounds crazy?  Maybe but we needed a way of showing everyone just how high the proposed structure would be.

So with a merry band of volunteers and a fair wind (and lovely sunny weather!) we set off last week to fly our tethered balloon from as near to the proposed site as we could.  The results you can see for yourself on this page.  The balloon flew really well and was visible from miles around; so much so that we attracted enquiries from a long way out of Northwich as well as in the town itself.

The balloon is tethered with a cable which is exactly the same length as the proposed chimney would be high, so we can see with a degree of accuracy exactly what could be seen from different locations around the town.  Take note particularly of the one’s from the car dealers on London Road, the Tesco’s car park and the one from Northwich Vics. Clearly this is a lot higher than most people perceive it to be and despite the best reassurances from TATA a lot higher than any artist impression has ever truly shown.

The blimp will be flying again soon so watch out for it where you are and if you spot it or take a photo then don’t forget to let us know and send us your pictures!

Chimney Height from Northwich Vics Car Park

Chimney height from London Road

The Blimp

Up she goes!

Flying high!

Looking East from Tesco's car park

Today, the Inspector has changed the timetable for the rest of this week.

Tuesday – Re-convenes at 1pm for CHAIN to cross examine on the new Environmental Statement.

Wednesday – Closing statements

Thursday – Site Visit and close of the Inquiry

This means that anyone who wanted to attend on the last day now needs to make sure they attend on Wednesday 5th October.  Let’s get as many people there as possible to give a show of strength.

The Middlewich Public Inquiry kicks off again on Monday 3rd October and any Middlewich residents and supporters are urged to be there.

The Inquiry is held at the Council Chambers, Municipal Buildings, Earle Street, Crewe.  It will start at 9.30am each morning.  Your attendance at any session will show the strength of our feelings about Coventa’s proposals.  See Cheshire East Council website for further details of the timetable.

With the Public Inquiry due to start on October 11th the Inspector has issued the Draft Programme for the Inquiry. Please note that this is only a ‘draft’ schedule and could be superseded at any time.  If it is we will do our best to place it on our website.

To see the schedule simply click here.

CHAIN have today issued a Press Release about the hidden health dangers of allowing TATA to build an incinerator in Northwich. Click here to read the press release.

The time will soon be with us when CHAIN will have the opportunity to cross examine TATA/EON as they bid to get their planning application for the Lostock incinerator past the Planning Inspector at the Northwich Planning Inquiry.  Normally these Inquiries can be dull affairs with a huge amount of time spent on technical details but this time CHAIN would like your help to enliven the proceedings.

We’re looking for some great questions to ask TATA/EON about their proposal, details of which you can find here.  If you read their website please take a lot of what they say with a huge pinch of salt, as it is nicely dressed to support their case.

For example if you read the bit about ‘The Need’ you may think that it is essential that they get this plant or the whole firm could be in trouble.  If you read between the lines though you will see that their ‘need’ is all about reducing costs with absolutely no guarantee that this would retain jobs at the Lostock site.  In fact if they got planing permission there would be nothing stopping them closing the Lostock operation entirely and selling the plant to EON to use for energy generation.  So their ‘need’ has nothing to do with sustainable business or sustainable energy generation and everything to do with sustaining profits.

And once again this has nothing to do with the local community or the impact this plant would have on them.  The final bit about ‘supporting the pensions of 600 former employees’ is nothing short of sickening.   Tata Group turned over $67.4 billion in 2009/10 and made $1.74 billion profit.  I somehow doubt that the inability to get planning permission for this plant will harm the 600 local pensioners chance of getting their pensions…..

So come on, let us have those questions.  Send your emails to admin@anti-incinerator.org.uk and we’ll make sure that the very best questions are placed at the heart of our defence of the local community.

The Pre Inquiry meeting into the proposed Incinerator in Northwich got underway today with the Inspector Elizabeth Hill opening the meeting and welcoming all the interested parties.  The great news is that despite the fact that it was out at Northwich Victoria FC, on a morning in the school holidays, there was a fabulous turnout of over 200 people.  At one point early in the proceedings the Inspector had to halt the meeting as there were too many people standing at the back, and provision for more seating had to be made.

After general introductions she progressed to the vexed question of the timing of this Inquiry, coming as it will the day after the Middlewich Public Inquiry comes to an end.  Tata/EON along with Cheshire West and Cheshire Council (CWAC) both lobbied to keep the dates as they currently stand however CHAIN argued that it was inappropriate to keep to this date as they would have finished the Middlewich Inquiry the day before.  CHAIN argued that on recent evidence it was unlikely that the Middlewich Inquiry would finish on time leaving them absolutely no time to prepare and the real danger that they would not even be able to be present on that day.  After hearing the arguments the inspector said that she would give a written ruling on this point later this week.

Tata/EON then asked for a variation to the normal running order of these meetings meaning that those who oppose would have to present first.  Quite rightly the Inspector denied this application as there were no good reasons for changing it.

The meeting then covered off all the other procedural aspects of the Inquiry, due in October, and following a short recess for lunch it reconvened, cleared the last few items on the agenda and closed.  The photos of the day show that not only were people queuing to get into the meeting but there was also a protest outside the meeting before hand to show the Inspector the depth of local feeling against this particular plan.

The Northwich Pre Inquiry Meeting (PiM) opens tomorrow morning at 11.00am at Northwich Victoria’s ground which is at Wincham Avenue, Northwich, CW9 6GB.  CHAIN are encouraging everyone to be there by 10.30am as there will be an opportunity for a photograph and to show the strength of local feeling about this proposal, before the PiM commences at 11.00.

Whilst the meeting will not make any decisions on the proposed plant it is the first opportunities for the opposing sides to see the arguments that will be presented at the Inquiry when it opens in October.

So if you can get down, please do so and make your voice heard.