Rivington Against
Greenbelt Exploitation
RAGE
Public Meeting
March 22nd 2011
Agenda
1. Introductions
2. Thank You
3. What is this Quarry stuff all about? - The Grand Plan
4. Situation update
5. What do we want?
6. What can we do?
7. We need your help!
Introductions
•
Armstrongs representatives ??
•
Press
•
Council Officials
•
BHEAG - Blackrod & Horwich Environmental Action Group
•
RAGE - Rivington Against Greenbelt Exploitation
www.RivingtonRage.org
Thank You
•
All for attending & RMI for hosting - drinks
•
BHEAG , Montcliffe RA, Arcon RA, Horwich Moor RA
•
•
Their work so far
Helpers
•
Many people who delivered almost 10,000 leaflets
•
Dan for organising the leaflet drop
•
Lizz for all the email updates
•
Rich for setting up website
•
Conrad for printing 5,000 of the leaflets & helping with design
•
Warren for setting up the charitable status
•
Others who have provided information, put up the poster, written to
Bolton Council, talked to council officials, done questionnaires, spread the
word etc..
Where are the Quarries?
Rivington Pike
Montcliffe & Pilkington Quarries
APPROVED Pilkington
Quarry Extension
Chorley Old Road
M 61
Chorley New Road
The Grand Plan
•
•
Montcliffe and Pilkington Quarries are both operated by Armstrongs
•
Obvious concerns (fires, smells, fines) not relevant to planning
•
Recent Environmental conviction IS relevant to planning (appeal)
Create a huge ‘recycling’ and waste tip facility
•
•
Knock through between Montcliffe & Pilkington creates mega quarry
The mega quarry may create the ‘very special circumstances’
required for Greenbelt development
•
Cannot be achieved in one planning permission
•
•
Over-development in green belt
Smaller step by step planning applications used instead
Armstrongs
•
We are NOT fighting Armstrongs, we ARE seeking a planning process that
considers planning law, the environment and local residents. It’s true that
we wouldn’t choose him as a neighbour - as his companies do seem to excel
at upsetting people!
•
Bolton News reported in Jan 2011 - Armstrongs found guilty of:
•
•
•
Two day trial at Bolton Magistrates’ Court - the court heard
•
•
•
Waste on Armstrongs land had not been correctly stored
Could pollute water or cause a smell
Armstrongs pleaded Not Guilty to two charges and said:
•
•
•
Breaching environmental permit
Failing to comply with an enforcement notice
The Environment Agency official lied
There was no smell!
We understand that Armstrongs intend to appeal this decisions
Stone to be removed
between 2 quarries
Contaminated &
Unstable Buttress
APPROVED extension to
Pilkington
Montcliffe to be used for
HUGE ‘recycling facility’
Pilkington to be used for
dumping material that
can’t be recycled
Evidence for Stone & Aggregates
•
Greater Manchester Joint Minerals Development Plan
•
Submission from Armstrongs Representatives (MPG – Minerals Planning
Group) 18th Dec 2009
•
“We would like to nominate Pilkington Quarry extension area and
possible land between Montcliffe and Pilkington Quarries as specific
sites for consideration.”
•
NOTE
•
Since then Pilkington Extension has been approved but we are seeking a Judicial
Review (JR)
•
Any big hole made by quarrying can then be filled up again by waste. Both quarries
operated by a waste managment company.
Evidence – Waste 1
•
Greater Manchester Joint Waste Development Plan
•
MPG submission - 22nd Dec 2009
•
Please find enclosed two potential waste sites [Montcliffe Quarry &
Pilkington Quarry] to be considered in your production of the Greater
Manchester Waste Development Plan
•
Both rejected - No NEW greenbelt facilities considered
•
However – if planning permission is given by Bolton Council for a
waste facility it can then be considered by Greater Manchester
Waste
Evidence – Waste 2
•
Potential Facility – “State of the art materials recovery park waste recycling
station”
•
Capacity – “Potential to recycle over 1 million tonnes of material p.a. Based
on traffic numbers of 200 in and 200 out per day”
•
= 400 HGV movements ON TOP of Pilkington Quarry lorries!!!!
•
Environment Agency state Chorley New Road recycled 70 thousand tonnes in 2008
•
14 times less than this proposal!
•
400 HGV movements also assumes no vehicles leave empty – very unlikely, so the actual
figure could potentially double
•
“[Bolton] council have already been approached with the concept of this
recycling facility which was considered to potentially ‘have merit’”. (Dec 2009)
Evidence – Waste 3
Proposed potential waste types:
•
Construction & demolition waste
Dust, noise
•
Green plant matter composting
Smell, dust
•
Metal
Noise
•
Cardboard
Dust, fire hazard
•
Co-mingled materials
Plastic & metal bottles, cans, containers
•
Cars
Pollution, fire, noise
•
Timber
Fire
Green plant matter composting
Timber Recycling
Green plant matter store
Car
Recycling
Co-mingled
materials
Lorry Park
Metal & Cardboard
Container storage
& Car Parking
Waste Transfer Station
Visitor Centre !
Fuel farm & pumps
Vehicle workshop, &
Lorry Wash
Main Offices
& Welfare!
Security, Weighbridge &
Transport Office
Evidence – Waste 4
•
“The restoration of this site [Pilkington Quarry] offers an infill opportunity. If
approval can be granted for an extension to the quarry this would increase
the void and capacity of the site.”
•
•
Shows importance of blocking current planning consent (JR)
Capacity – “2.5 million cubic metre void space (including extension area),
which would hold ~4.5 million tonnes of inert C&D [construction &
demolition – inert only] material.
Planning Permissions
Planning Applications Update
1. 80931/08 – Rejected Oct 2009 – Appeal withdrawn Jan 2011
2. 83299/09 – Granted Oct 2010 – Judicial Review – Quashed
3. 83999/09 – Granted Oct 2010 – Judicial Review - Quashed
4. 84065/10 – Granted Jan 2011 – Judicial Review
•
Question – Do we have the support & funds to continue ?
Judicial Review (JR)
•
Legal review of planning decisions in the courts
•
Plus – Objective, only planning issues relevant, gives us a voice
•
Minus – Expensive, so we do need your financial support
•
This only cancels the decision - the applicant can re apply
•
Buxtons Solicitors – Environmental & Public Law Specialists
•
Threat of JR and strength of case led to 2 planning permissions being
quashed
•
•
Solicitor funded by some local residents & bheag
•
Donations please
JR against Pilkington Extension is currently being contested by Bolton
Council
Judicial Review (JR)
•
Why are we having go through this process? Is it
because ...
•
Bolton Council would receive revenue from the quarries?
•
The same organisation that advises Bolton Council on
locations for waste, also advises on whether mineral
permissions should be approved? (Urban Vision)
•
The Council would really like Armstrong to move away from
the Loco works so the 1600 homes can be built?
•
They are already spending large sums on the Chorley Old
Road retaining wall in preparation for all the HGVs?
Montcliffe Quarry
•
Was run well by Hanson’s and ARC and due to close in 2011
•
Low level restoration to commence after closure
•
Consent was only awarded after applicant stated they would not ask
for a further extension.
•
Operation transferred from Hanson to GCN LTD
•
•
Registered at Armstrong’s on Chorley New Road
Extraction end date is 21st September 2011
•
Armstrongs have indicated they will apply for extension for extracting for up
to 10 years
•
We want current end date & restoration plans to be honoured
The Fence!
•
Minor point compared to major planning issues!
•
Current sighting & colour shows contempt of the visual
environment & concerns of residents
•
Armstrongs have verbally committed to move sighting of fence &
paint green!
•
No statement so far on planned extent of fencing
Our Action
What do we want?
•
We want to stop the Quarries in Rivington Greenbelt becoming a
giant waste processing centre and waste dump!
•
We want planning applications to receive proper, lawful & fair
assessment
•
We want the voice of local residents to be properly heard
•
We don’t want hundreds of HGVs every day:
•
•
Through the centre of Horwich & local road network
•
Past a school, church, leisure centre and houses
We want Bolton Council & Armstrongs come clean about their long
term plans for Montcliffe & Pilkington quarries
More Public Support Please
What can we do? - Inspiration
What can we do? - Nothing Illegal!
Quarry row firm warns people not to trespass - Bolton News - 1st February 2011
“Bosses at Armstrongs Environmental Services say they have had reports that two men trespassed on the firm’s land on
January 20 and took photographs of the site. [Presume Montcliffe Quarry but not specified]. A spokesman claims
one of the men was aggressive to a disabled member of staff when he was confronted.”
Company chiefs have insisted trespassing will not be tolerated and have sent a solicitor’s letter to local organisations
warning them of the consequences.
“Not only is there an extreme risk of injury to those persons trespassing, it is also against the law. The quarries are
monitored by 24-hour security and any such persons found on the site without authority will be reported to the
police and a prosecution will be sought. In addition, if our client suffers any damage as a result of those persons
trespassing on site, our client may take action through the civil courts for sufficient recompense to be made.”
“We would be grateful if you could inform your members that any unauthorised persons
found on site will be reported immediately to the relevant authorities.”
What can we do? - Visibility
•
Raise the profile – showing support
•
STOP the QUARRY - Window Poster
•
RAGE Badge (min £10 donation)
•
Other ideas / contributions welcome e.g.
•
Garden / field posters
•
Hats, t-shirts etc
•
Events
•
Volunteers
What can we do? – Gaining Support
•
Getting Organised
•
Charitable status – RAGE
•
Hundreds of Email
subscribers & Facebook
followers
•
Thousands of bheag website
visitors
•
RivingtonRage.org website
set up
What can we do? – Petition
•
Target at least 4,000 signatures
•
Really get us noticed
•
Friends, relatives, neighbours, colleagues ...
•
Easter Weekend – Petition (Volunteers)
•
•
Good Friday – Easter Pike Fair (22nd April)
•
Easter Saturday - Rivington Pike Race (23rd April)
4,000 signatures means petition has to
receive a full council debate (200 sheets)
•
“The people of Horwich & surrounding areas demand a voice in major planning
decisions that will impact their lives for decades”
•
Please take some with you & get them filled in
What can we do? - Fundraising
•
Cheques payable to.. Rivington Against Greenbelt Exploitation
•
PayPal on RivingtonRage.org website
•
Gift Aid details – fill in form after the meeting
•
Almost £10,000 already contributed by individuals & local residents
associations in last 2 years – mainly legal bills
•
£1,500 raised in last 10 days - brilliant!
•
£4,500 needed by end March to get Judicial Review to court
•
•
More needed if taken to court
•
Last time Bolton Council backed down
More funds required for ongoing legal battles & campaign
We Need Your Help?
•
Be there
– Turn up, sign up to emails, show poster
•
Help out
– Petition, leaflets & protest letters
•
Get Involved
– Time, skills, organising
•
Financial Support
•
•
Some have given > £ thousands, some hundreds – all welcome!
No time-wasters please!
•
We are not short of ideas, arguments, concerns, things to complain about etc...
•
We ARE short of time, expertise, finance
•
Please don’t commit to something you cannot do!
We need your help
•
Treasurer
Proper accounting of all funds raised & spent
•
Expertise
Legal, Planning, Environmental
•
Photographs
Photos of lorries on Chorley Old Road etc causing a nuisance
Or - scenic pictures of Georges Lane & West Pennine Moors
•
Research
Reading documents, finding issues, errors & inconsistencies e.g. WPM
•
Documents
Evidence of promises / commitments made by prior quarry operators
•
Campaigners
Organise support, leaflet drops
•
Fund Raisers
Coordinate donations, fund raising events
•
Administration
Follow up meetings, coordinate volunteers etc...
•
Supporters
Who do you know? Neighbours, interest groups e.g.
Cyclists, fell runners, horse riders, ramblers or famous people
Please let us know of any expertise you have that could be useful
What can we do?
•
Try and defeat each quarry planning permission
•
Environmental issues – water, waste, noise, dust, visual impact
•
Traffic movements – hundreds of HGVs through Horwich
•
Green belt
•
Removal of public footpaths
•
Planning process
•
Judicial review
•
Let Bolton Council know we mean business & won’t go away
•
Hearts & Minds – Save Rivington & the West Pennine Moors !
Next Steps
•
Regular meetings to keep all up to date
•
Judicial Review for recently approved planning
•
ACTIONS
•
Please volunteer to help
•
Fundraising – donate min £10 for a badge & WEAR IT!
•
Display ‘STOP the QUARRY’
•
Continue Georges Lane questionnaire for PR research
•
Next meeting in May - TBC
•
Easter Weekend - Petition
•
Good Friday – Easter Pike Fair (22nd April)
•
Easter Saturday - Rivington Pike Race (23rd April)
What Now?
•
Stay after for...
•
Drinks at the bar
•
(support RMI who have supported this meeting)
•
Donations, badges & gift aid forms
Table A
•
Pick up Petitions & Posters
Table B
•
Offer of help & Information
Table C
End of Presentation