THE fight to prevent a waste plant being built in Lostock is not over for two Northwich campaign groups, who now hope to persuade the government to ‘veto’ the application.

A proposal by Tata Chemicals Europe and E.on for a sustainable energy from waste plant, off Griffiths Road, will now be determined by the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, following a public inquiry which took place in October 2011.

The plans, which were previously rejected by Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC), have been met with sustained opposition from members of Cheshire Anti Incinerator Network (CHAIN) since they were first put forward and the group has now joined forces with Wincham-based Stop Incineration in Disguise (SID), to further its cause.

Brian Cartwright, CHAIN chairman, said: “We are nearing the time when our coalition Government will have to make up its mind about whether to support the people of Northwich or the two international companies who may blight the town for generations to come.

“It is therefore wholly appropriate that we pool our resources and ideas with our friends in SID to do what we can, even at this late stage, to prevent a calamity.”

SID campaigners organised a number of protests and fundraising events in opposition to RRS’s bid for a gasification plant in Wincham, as part of the Cheshire Waste PFI, a contract which is currently hanging in the balance.

The partnership is currently organising a programme of campaign activities, including lobbying MPs Graham Evans, Stephen O’Brien and George Osborne for their support.

Geoff Eden, chairman of SID, added: “SID and CHAIN have established themselves as effective campaign groups against waste incinerators during the past couple of years.

“We also have the knowledge and experience in our ranks to contribute to the task of finding viable innovative solutions to the waste management challenges that we face in Cheshire.

“I know that all of our members are looking forward to working with CHAIN to conclude what we hope will be a successful campaign against the Tata and E.on proposal.”

A spokesperson for Tata said the company could not issue a comment due to the current situation of the planning procedure and application.

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