DECISION OVER MONTON WASTE MANAGEMENT SITE POSTPONED PENDING SCHEDULE OF A PUBLICLY HELD MEETING

During an online Microsoft Teams meeting held at 10am this morning, attendees were assured that public notices informing the public of an online planning hearing appeal 'HAD' been posted on Lampposts and buildings along Lansdowne Road within the statutory 21-day period.

Sharron Owen, a senior environmental crime officer told the attendees that she visited the area herself to post notices to buildings and lampposts and collected photographic evidence which had been made available to the chair. Additionally she said that she had spoken with a number of local residents who 'wanted to know what it was about' as well as local businesses including 'Lanes For Dranes', during her visit to the area.

However, there was some confusion when it was disclosed that one of the notices had been posted in the 'closest Library they could find', which happens to be in the neighbouring ward of Winton, to which Councillor Mike McCusker pointed out that the library does not lie within the electoral ward of Monton and therefore would had not easily been seen by locals.

Salford and Eccles MP, Rebecca Long Bailey questioned why if what Mrs Owen had said was correct, the local public had seemingly only recently become aware of the notices, prompting concerns to be raised on social media.

Emma Dring, a barrister for the Environment Agency replied that "It happens" as she maintained that from the EA's perspective, the hearing should be allowed to continue to go ahead.

Rebecca continued, asking why notice had not been posted through letterboxes of residents along the road, along with those living on the Bellway estate, to which she was told that there was no requirement to do so.

Councillors Mike McCusker and Nathanial Tete pointed out that the reference number on the notices failed to bring up any information when entered into the online case portal, Councillor August added that even the online meeting was not advertised on internal systems. 

It was explained that the reference number was indeed correct but the information pertaining to the case is not posted to the portal, with the number solely added to the notice to allow members of the public to use as a reference for contact.

The Councillor, MP and a member of the local community association (Lisa Muir) asked that the meeting be postponed to give time to form an adequate response, something which was echoed by the applicants who asked for a public meeting to be held so that members of the public could attend in person. Mrs Muir told the attendees that residents have a real fear over what is within the planning application.

Representing the applicants Tom Fisher (CEO of GM Recycling Limited) and his father Brian Fisher (Beneficial owner of the site), Mike Mathews said that given the storm which had developed, it would be wise to postpone the meeting and spend some time in consultation with the public to enable all sides to receive a fair hearing, adding that both he and his colleagues were happy to engage with the local community during a publicly held meeting.

The online meeting was adjourned for 30 minutes to allow the chair (Ms Jennifer Savage - Case Officer at The Planning Inspectorate) to reflect on what had been said as well as take into account comments which had been received via email from concerned members of the public.

Upon continuation of the meeting the chair said that it would be remis to ignore the comments made and that it would be unfair to proceed any further with the meeting today, adding that it was in everyone's interest to adjourn and postpone the meeting.

Emma Dring, representing the Environment Agency agreed, with representative for applicant Mike Mathews adding that he respects the chairs decision and could not fault the logic.

It was agreed that time would be given for the public to be allowed to read and understand the application, during which a further publicly held meeting could be arranged for interested parties to attend, raise their concerns and have their say at a later date.