THE changing face of Northwich means large-scale plans for an ‘energy from waste’ plant should be resubmitted, a town councillor has said.

Tata Chemicals Europe’s application to increase its output at the Lostock Works plant by half is being considered by Cheshire West and Chester Council and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

Objections to the scheme, which Tata say would involve no increase in waste or traffic but rather more efficient equipment, have been lodged by Northwich Town Council, various parish councils, councillors and residents.

Labour’s Cllr Sam Naylor, who sits on NTC and Cheshire West and Chester Council, said he was pleased to see that the borough council had clarified its position despite conceding there were ‘limited grounds’ upon which it could object.

He said: “What they have basically said is that although there are only limited ways they can object because of planning regulations, they are just as opposed to that incinerator now as they were in 2012 when it was granted permission.

“Along with all of the other objections that have gone in from individuals, councils, councillors including myself and Paul Dolan, and the three MPs, we are all asking for a fresh application.

“A lot has changed since 2012, when permission was granted. There are a lot more houses, more traffic, and two other proposed sites nearby.

“Councillors of both parties in Cheshire are horrified at the possibility that in a few years’ time there could be 650 HGV movements in and out of that site between 7am and 7pm every day of the year. If that isn’t a contributor to air pollution, I don’t know what is.”

Concerns were raised this week that CWAC had failed to lodge an official objection, with the planning portal asserting a position of ‘no objection’.

This transpired to be an administrative error, which was being corrected when the Guardian went to press.

Liam Byrne, spokesman for CHAIN – a group opposing the development, said: “By its own admission, the council has sufficient grounds to support an objection but for some strange reason it backed out and effectively gave its blessing to TATA’s plans.

“It is not too late for CWAC to do the right thing and submit an objection.”

CHAIN is also calling for clarification and a copy of the objection, with a member set to address a full council meeting this evening, Thursday.

CWAC director of place and strategy, Lisa Harris, said: “I think it remains important to put on record our continued opposition to the development and the impact it has on the local area.

“The local planning authority continues to have reservations about the impact that this development will have.

“On this basis we believe that it would be better and more appropriate to give interested parties an opportunity to comment by the submission of a new application."

Fraser Ramsay, of TCE, said: “CWAC have made their position clear on the development and the planning consent. BEIS will determine the variation application whilst taking account of the representations received during the consultation period in accordance with the regulations.”