Rivington Against Greenbelt Exploitation

RAGE

Public Meeting March 22nd 2011

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!

Agenda

• Armstrongs representatives ??

• Press

• Council Officials

• BHEAG - Blackrod & Horwich Environmental Action Group

• RAGE - Rivington Against Greenbelt Exploitation

Introductions

www.RivingtonRage.org

• 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..

Thank You

Where are the Quarries?

Montcliffe & Pilkington Quarries

Rivington Pike

Georges Lane

Chorley Old Road

APPROVED Pilkington Quarry Extension

M 61Chorley 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:• Breaching environmental permit

• Failing to comply with an enforcement notice

• 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:• 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 3Proposed 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

Security, Weighbridge & Transport Office

Main Offices & Welfare!

Fuel farm & pumps

Timber Recycling

Visitor Centre !

Vehicle workshop, & Lorry Wash

Green plant matter composting

Green plant matter store

Lorry Park

Container storage & Car Parking

Car Recycling

Waste Transfer Station

Co-mingled materials

Metal & Cardboard

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

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? - Nothing Illegal!

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