Leyland to Become the Waste Recycling Centre For

[noel]

I wonder what the councillors who voted this blot on the landscape think about it now. Enough warnings were made about it and it's siting in proximity to domestic dwellings in particular.
What a pity they only appear to have half a brain cell. Though that seems the main qualification for a politician.

[Top Cat]

Speaking at the Waste Plant Liaison Meeting on Monday (which was extremely well attended despite the fact that Global Renewables apparently thought that they had weathered the storm, and there was now little public interest or concern)Chief Executive David Brewer explained that the current problem with smells coming from the plant was because (they think) the emissions from the composting process, when they enter the scrubbers and filters, are more odorous than 'anticipated' and consequently the scrubbers and filters are failing to reduce the smells to sufficient levels so that when they are discharged into the atmosphere the smell is still stronger than it should be. Throughout his report he repeatedly used words and phrases such as 'expect', 'hope', 'think', 'steps towards', 'don't think', 'believe', 'anticipate', and 'if everything goes right'. He never said 'We know'. To address the problems, apart from tinkering around the edges, the major 'solution' that they propose is to increase the height of the 5 vents, through which water vapor can be seen issuing, from their current 12 metres to 20 metres. There would thus be a row of 5 mini factory chimneys further blotting the landscape. Notwithstanding that they have now yet applied for planning permission to the LCC, or consulted with the Environment Agency, they 'think' that allowing for the necessary consultation and approval these stacks could be erected about next February. (I think that again they are very optimistic.) There is no guarantee that this would work but they 'think', 'from the modelling' that they have carried out, that the odorous emissions would travel further before coming down to ground level, and that having travelled further before doing so that they would have dissipated to an 'acceptable' level. (Acceptable???) What I think that this means is that more people, over a wider area, would be affected at 'perhaps' a slightly lower level. I reminded Mr Brewer that earlier this year, just before the first smell problem was temporarily resolved, he had stated that if it was not solved by the following meeting (I think that would have been about April) that they would close the plant down. I invited him to do so now, but he did not adequately respond.

[noel]

Thank-you TC for the report. I wasn't aware of the meeting, credit to those who turned up.

[noel]

It sounds like it's going to be a mini Battersea power satation with those chimneys. The full story here
Leyland Guardian

[the smoking gnu]

just surfed on to this thread, have registered just to comment

i work in the plant opposite to global renewables. since it opened the smell that emanates from GR is absolutely foul, and escalates in the summer. I know that the management of our plant, in the interests of being "a good neighbour" have politely drawn to GR's attention the stench on several occasions but to no avail, GR were "bemused" to be told about the smell and as far as they were concerned were operating within guidelines and allowable limits

There are nigh on 1000 employees in my plant and the vast majority have something to say about the stench, many are local residents. I myself have personally complained to the council and the EA on numerous occasions, only to be told by the leyland environmental health department at the council that "it's nothing to do with us" - in what capacity? in the fact that it is an EH issue? or that it was the council that approved the planning permission in the first place? a few cynics that I work with are of the opinion that it makes little or no difference what people say anyway, that the deal to build/open the place was done on hole 14 at shaw hill and the backhanders have already been banked. I couldn't possibly comment.

What I do know is that every time I call the EA to complain they tell me that "action is in hand". Unfortunately it appears to have been "in hand" for over 7 months now. I absolutely believe that this is not a case on NIMBYism, I do not live locally any more, but my parents live approx 3 miles away as the crow flies in ulnes walton and are now unable to enjoy their garden anymore - and their house has been for sale for 12+ months now, reduced for a quick sale, and everyone that views it has something to say about "a bad smell at this end of leyland"

On a further note, workmates that also live away from leyland have noticed that when they come to use their vehicles at weekends their partners have asked what the bad smell is inside the vehicle? further investigation reveals it seems that cabin/pollen filters have been infiltrated with the smell which then emits into the cabin as heaters/blowers are used. Are we to be reimbursed the cost of new filters?

The attitude of GR's management re. air fresheners while unwelcome/unbelievable is actually unsurprising i'm sorry to say - the sheer arrogance of these people is beyond the pale and I truly believe they are laughing up their sleeves at everyone elses expense, after all, the shareholders are happy - money talks doesn't it? what does it matter to them if they stink up leyland and the surrounding area? they obviously don't live locally so obviously do not care

[anacortesdamp]

Martin:

is there a simple fix at your end to get this topic to fit on the screen? It's a royal pain having to scroll side to side to read each line.

Frank

[Martin]

Fixed

[filmoss]

That place is not making any money believe me !! [^]

[anacortesdamp]

Thanks, Martin.


Frank

[noel]

Welcome to the forum Stuart. It's a total shambles this recycling centre.