Clinical waste plant:
How the council could
still block plans
by David Skentelbery
NEW proposals have been submitted for a multi-million ? plant to process hospital waste on a site only 160 yards from hundreds of houses at Warrington.
The plant, off Winwick Road, Warrington, would handle up to 10,000 tonnes a year of clinical waste from hospitals, clinics, dental surgeries, vets, etc across the North West.
Angry residents have vowed to fight the scheme. But planning consent for a larger project has already been approved following a public inquiry two years ago.
The scheme has only been blocked by Warrington Borough Council’s refusal to sell part of the site which is in council ownership.
But now the applicants have scaled down the proposals so they can be accommodated on part of the site which is privately owned The plant – the first of its kind in the UK – would be built by Sterile Technologies Inc – and would process medical waste from hospitals and health centres all over the North West.
Borough planners originally refused permission because of potential traffic problems in an area of the town already suffering from severe congestion.
Residents’ objections were based on health fears although the applicants say the plant will involve state-of-the-art, environment friendly technology.
Local environmental campaigner John Mulhall believes the borough council may still be able to block the scheme – by continuing to refuse to sell its land in the area.
He said: “The plant has been scaled down to fit the privately-owned part of the site. But if the council make it clear they will still not sell their land the scheme could prove unviable. The extra land could be needed for lorry parking at peak periods.
“The company might decide it is not worth risking the massive financial investment that would be required.”
He has tabled a question for the next meeting of the council’s executive board on June 13 asking if the council would be prepared to sell the land or not.
Mr Mulhall suggests that a better site for the plant would be on the Warrington-Halton border, near Fiddler’s Ferry Power Station, where the two authorities are already considering proposals for a joint waste disposal site.
Model girl to put
brains before beauty
by Gary Skentelbery
MODEL student Holly Ikin is planning to put brains before beauty even if she wins through to the finals of the Miss England competition.
With 10 A Grade GSCE’s, eight with stars, 18-year-old Holly from Culcheth, Warrington, is already on course for four A Grade A-Levels and a place at Nottingham University, where she intends to study Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American.
After previously winning through to the last six of Miss British Isles, she has now been chosen as a finalist for Miss Merseyside, with the prize being a place in the finals of Miss England.
But she is not getting too carried away with the thoughts of a professional modelling career, prefering to concentrate on her academic success. She is currently a student at Bolton Girls School Sixth Form.
“I think its fair to say I will be putting brains before beauty,” said Holly. “I find the modelling fun and really enjoy it but it can be a very short term career.
“If I am successful at modelling I will fit it in some how but I am really looking forward to going to university.”
Her aim is for a career as a translator – possibly working in Spain for footballers!
Being a big Manchester United fan she is a little daunted about modelling in Liverpool, particularly when she was asked to take some sportswear along. I thought about wearing my Manchester United top but it wouldn’t go down very well with the judges if they are all Liverpool fans!”
Holly will be competing in the Miss Merseyside event at at the Olympia in Liverpool on June 11 and is on the look out for a business which may be interested in sponsoring her.
Nature reserve’s
national award
THE 200-acre Moore Nature Reserve, near Warrington, has won a major national award for operators Waste Recycling Group.
WRG was awarded first place place in the community category of the bi-annual BTO-Hanson Business Bird Challenge, successfully defending its 2002 restoration site award.
The accolade underlines WRG’s ongoing success in developing environmental and community initiatives at the reserve, which adjoins the giant Arpley Landfill Site, run by the company.
Moore Nature Reserve is a mixture of woodland, wetlands, lakes, ponds and grasslands and is continuing to attract rising numbers of bird species.
During the last 12 months, 132 species have been recorded, including rare bitterns. The restored areas of Arpley Landfill Site are also fast becoming valuable habitat for an array of birds, mammals and insects.
Reserve warden Paul Cassidy said: “The area has become as much of a haven for visitors as it has for wildlife.
“The Challenge award underlines the wide range of events and activities that are organised on the site throughout the year.
“Every month, we have visits from schools, college and community groups and members of the public who take part in a variety of activities from rambling and bird watching to pond-dipping and attending educational talks on site.
“Moore Nature Reserve has become a very important wildlife resource, one that is genuinely valued by interest groups as well as the community at large. We’re looking forward to developing these activities in the future.”
WRG took over the management of the 260-hectare landfill site from Cheshire County Council more than 10 years ago.
Challenge organiser Helen Kramer of the British Trust for Ornithology commented: “The Challenge is a unique partnership between the BTO, business and local communities which celebrates the range of environmental work being undertaken at commercial sites.
“Congratulations to all those involved in the management of Arpley Landfill Site. They thoroughly deserve this award.”
Brian to run 145
miles for charity
by Lesley Wilkinson
WHILE most people are relaxing over the Bank Holiday weekend, a Warrington man is planning to run 145 miles for charity.
Brian New, 42, of Freshwater Close, Great Sankey, is taking part in the Grand Union Canal Race.
The non-stop run from Gas Street Basin in Birmingham to Little Venice in London, follows the route of the canal. It is the longest race for runners in Britain and this year celebrates its 10th anniversary.
“Each year about 50 runners start the race, but on average only 15 to 20 actually make it all the way to London in the 50 hours allowed,” said Brian.
“I have been training for the event for what seems like months and has been running up to 80 miles a week in preparation. However, 145 miles is a long way, so I have no idea whether I will actually make it, even less of an idea how long it will take,” he said.
Brian, who work as an IT team leader for the CIS in Manchester, has been training hard and has been supported by his wife Alison and children Ben and Bella.
He started the Team Meridian running club at the David Lloyd Leisure Centre, Warrington, four years ago and has competed in the Iron Man Triathlon in Lanzarote, which features running, cycling and swimming, several times.
To train for the event, he has completed to 50-mile runs on consecutive days, has been cycling and followed a high carbohydrate diet with lots of pasta.
“I’ll have to take it carefully, as I don’t want to be one of the high number of drop-outs. I aim to run slowly and not overdo it,” said Brian.
He said runners are not allowed sleep breaks, but are allowed half-hour breaks in a support vehicle. He plans to stay in Birmingham on Friday night and start running on Saturday at 6.00am, with an estimated finishing time 40-hours later on Sunday at 10.00pm.
Brian is hoping to raise ?500 for St Josephs Family Centre in Warrington, which
offers a range of services for families. Anyone interested in sponsoring him can pick up a sponsorship form from the David Lloyd centre or contact him on his mobile 07974 967878.
St John Ambulance
offer free lessons
by Lesley Wilkinson
PEOPLE in Warrington are being urged to take advantage of free first aid lessons to give them the skills to save a life or treat injuries in an emergency.
As part of Adult Learner’s Week, St John Ambulance, Cheshire, is inviting people to sign up for its many first aid and business courses.
Adult Learners’ Week is the country’s largest festival of learning and gives adults an opportunity to have a go at something new. A series of events have been held throughout Warrington.
At its training centres throughout Cheshire, St John Ambulance runs public first aid and Babysafe courses that show new parents, grandparents and babysitters how to administer first aid to babies.
Business courses include training to be a qualified first aider in the workplace, Emergency Aid for Appointed Persons in the Workplace, the Early Years First Aid course for childcare professionals, Manual Handling (how to lift and carry safely), and how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
Stephanie Littler, marketing manager for the agency, said: “Acquiring first aid skills during Adult Learners Week may be one of the most important things you ever do, as first aid minimises harm and saves lives.
“Since joining St John Ambulance I have been really impressed with the quality of their training courses and the positive feedback they consistently receive from customers,” she added.
Further information is available by telephoning 01244 383407 or visiting www.cheshire.sja.org.uk
Justice for prisoner
who served 25 years
by our correspondent
THE court of Appeal has overturned the conviction of a Warrington man who served 25 years for the attempted murder of a nine-year-old boy.
Paul Blackburn, now aged 41, was 15 when he was found guilty by a jury.
He is now likely to receive substantial compensation.
The Court of Appeal was told that by current standards, Mr Blackburn did not receive a fair trial.
He was released on life licence in March 2003. But the court was told his detention had been “clearly prolonged” by his persistent assertions that he was wrongly convicted.”
Mr Blackburn was tried at Chester Crown Court and sentenced to life detention. During his 25 years in detention he spent time in 18 different prisons.
Outside the court, he said he was “elated” that a wrong had been put right but admitted he was now finding life outside prison “very difficult.”
His solicitor, Glyn Maddocks, said there had been a major miscarriage of justice and Mr Blackburn would be entitled to substantial compensation.
Graeme Gerrard, Deputy Chief Constable of Cheshire, said the police were “very concerned” that Mr Blackburn had served a term of imprisonment when the Court of Appeal had ruled that the conviction was unsafe. The case occurred 27 years years ago when the rules relating to the questioning of suspects and the submission of evidence were very different to today’s standards. They were satisfied there were now extensive safeguards to prevent similar occurences.
Local company short
listed for award
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON-based United Utilities has been short listed for honours at this year’s prestigious North West Business Environment Awards, in recognition of its environmental and business excellence.
Hosted by the Mersey Basin Campaign and North West Regional Development Agency (NWDA), the awards celebrate the success of the region’s most innovative companies in combining outstanding environmental performance with outstanding business performance.
United Utilities, the largest operator of water and wastewater networks in the UK beat off entries from throughout the region to become a short-listed finalist for awards in the categories of Best Environmental Practice, Community Regeneration and Environmental Technologies and Regeneration.
For the company’s treatment of a sewage by-product – known as sludge, United Utilities was selected for an Environmental Technologies award, which recognises innovation and excellence.
Enough sludge is produced to supply 1.5 megawatts to the National Grid, saving in harmful carbon emissions.
United Utilities is also short-listed for the Best Environmental Practice award for embedding good environmental practices into its procurement processes.
The company has added a series of environmental questions about the impacts contractors’ operations will have and has built those into working practices.
United Utilities is also nominated for the Community Regeneration awards for its Landcare programme – an innovative partnership programme with environmental regeneration organisation, Groundwork, to transform waste grounds into local neighbourhood amenities.
NWDA chief executive Steven Broomhead said: “These awards demonstrate how North West companies are taking up the challenge and making environmental excellence part of their business success. Achievements such as these are great news for the prosperity and the environmental quality of England’s North West and I would like to extend my congratulations to all organisations who have participated.”
Walter Menzies, chief executive of Mersey Basin Campaign, said: “These awards show where success in business has also given England’s North West environmental, educational and recreational benefits.
“Despite the region’s industrial legacy of environmental mismanagement, we are now home to a fantastic cluster of businesses, entrepreneurs and organisations that are leading the way in pioneering sustainable solutions to make the environment a priority for industry.”
The winners of the North West Business Environment Awards 2005, will be announced at a ceremony on June 3.
