Controversial Bacup waste transfer site plan is withdrawn

A plan to build a new waste transfer site in Bacup, which prompted hundreds of objections, has been cancelled.

Rossendale Council said residents’ concerns and a review of new technical details set by United Utilities have led to the planning application for the facility at Henrietta Street in Bacup being withdrawn. A new facility could be developed elsewhere, it added.

The Henrietta Street site has been the focus of debate for months. Its redevelopment plan was linked to a national push for more waste recycling and less use of landfill dumps, the ending of a Lancashire County Council contract to use the Whinney Hill site near Accrington in 2026 and development of a new central waste site near Leyland.

But there has been disagreement over various  aspects including the potential impact on Bacup residents of a new Henrietta Street complex and Lancashire County Council’s role.

A planning application for a new Henrietta Street facility was due to be considered by Rossendale Council’s development control committee recently but was withdrawn. And the potential financial cost of building the site and the different responsibilities of Rossendale Council were debated at the borough’s recent budget meeting. The new borough budget included a £6million allocation to build a new Henrietta Street site

But in recent days Rossendale Council has announced a change. In a new statement, a spokesperson said: “The council has listened to residents’ concerns about the proposed waste transfer site and understands the frustrations and concerns surrounding the evolving plans. In response, we have decided not to proceed with the current planning application for Henrietta Street and are now reviewing all options, including the possibility of locating the facility at Futures Park.

 “We have also reviewed the new technical requirements set by United Utilities, which would require significant design changes, which includes the construction of two buildings instead of one. We recognise that this does not meet the original assurances given to residents that the facility would be contained under one roof.

“Our priority is to find a solution that is both financially responsible and meets the future needs of the local community. We appreciate the feedback we have received and will provide further updates as soon as possible. “

At Rossendale’s budget meeting earlier this month, some Conservatives argued the Bacup waste site idea should be scrapped. Reasons included residents’ objections and a shake-up of Lancashire councils expected in the next few years.

However, other councillors said Conservative-run Lancashire County Council is behind the waste changes but is not providing local boroughs with enough funding or options for new arrangements, including possibly support to transport waste to an alternative processing site at Farington near Leyland.

Labour councillors also said the county council has £100million in reserves and should use some of it to help boroughs with new waste arrangements

Labour said the distance to Farington from east Lancashire will result in higher vehicle fuel costs and take more time for workers. Labour claimed Rossendale Tory councillors were hypocrites to blame Rossendale Council for the local situation.

For clarity, a number of councillors felt the general aim to recycle more waste was right. But the current ideas were flawed, they believed.