3 days ago
Campaigners against recycling plant proposals say their environmental concerns are 'being ignored'
Campaigners against plans to build a recycling plant in Carlisle say their climate change concerns are 'being ignored'.
The proposed waste site, located near Rockcliffe, is set to go in front of Cumberland Council's planning committee on 20 June 2025.
North West Recycling have previously said that they have fully engaged with the planning authority and submitted a comprehensive application.
Protestor David Mudge says there have been "no real answers" to air pollution concerns.
He said: "We've been ignored. We've been dismissed. We've raised complaints about the whole way that the process has been done. And then we've been told we're being unreasonably persistent. I mean, they're just not listening to us. We've got valid concerns, and they need answers.
Louise Robertson said: "The planning department should not be puppets for the Council. You know, it's there to serve us and protect us.
"I just feel like we've been cornered into being lambs to the slaughter."
In a statement, North West Recycling said: "This planning application has taken over 18 months, which is due to be determined during a dedicated Planning Committee meeting which has been arranged purely forthis project.
"The due diligence given to this application is unprecedented and has been scrutinised by the Council, independent Consultants and expert Consultants appointed by the Council.
"North West Regeneration Ltd has commissioned the provision of significant studies from independent experts to provide reports that include Air Quality Assessment and Modelling, Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA), Ecology and Habitat Risk Assessments (HRA), Carbon Quality and Need documents.
"Over recent months, Natural England has stated that they have no objection to the application and its independent reports, the County Ecologist has adopted the HRA report findings and agreed with the conclusion that the development has no impact on Human Health and the habitat.
"The Environmental Health Department and Local Authority have appointed an independent Pyrolysis expert consultant to recommend and provide the Environmental Permit to enable the Gasification Project to operate.
"The granted SWIP permit fully complies with the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) and UK Environmental Legislation.
"All these experts have considered the finest detail of the project and concluded that there is nodetrimental impact on Human Health or the Environment.
A Cumberland Council spokesperson said: 'The Council issued an Environmental Permit on 23 April 2025, this is after carefully considering and responding to concerns raised and engaging specialist independent consultants to review key aspects of the proposal and obtaining advice from key specialist Government Bodies such as the Environment Agency and Natural England.'
