COUNCIL bosses have given the green light to plans for a huge new energy waste facility.
The plant at Ince Resource Recovery Park, near Elton, would be capable of turning more than 250,000 tonnes of incinerator ash into aggregate.
Residents have raised fears the landscape would be transformed into a “dumping ground” for the nation’s waste, as well as the risk from harmful dust.
Cheshire West and Chester (CWaC) strategic planning committee voted 5-4 in favour of the plans by Covanta Energy.
Cllr Alex Black said: “We have also been told that we must assume that the Environment Agency will do their job properly and must make our decision on that assumption.
The main source of the incinerator bottom ash would come from the refuse derived fuel plant, which was given planning permission on the Ince Park site after a public inquiry.
Councillors spent some time asking if different conditions, including the air quality monitoring of the site, could be incorporated.
A large number of conditions to minimise dust and other measures to protect local amenity, including the developer contributing to the local Air Quality Forum are part of the planning permission.
The Environment Agency has also taken the draft decision to issue Covanta Energy the variation to their environment permit.
Residents have until March 12 to voice their concerns to the agency.
Environment manager Tracey Rimmer said: “We have considered the application very carefully and drafted a variation notice with conditions that would require
Covanta Energy to operate in a way that will protect both the environment and human health.
“We will take into account any new and relevant information received before making a final decision.”