Esther McVey is urging Labour-led Chester West and Chester council to oppose plans to increase capacity at Lostock Works incinerator and vowed to pile pressure on Government to do the same.
The waste facility at Lostock Works is currently consulting over its plans to up the amount of rubbish it incinerates at the plant and is expected to submit a formal proposal to Government in the summer.
The Tatton MP, who has opposed the incinerator since becoming an MP, said it was not needed and fears it will create both health and environmental problems.
She is seeking meetings with Government ministers to discuss the plans currently being consulted on, in anticipation for a formal plea for expansion from the energy company.
Ms McVey said: “I have been clear I oppose this incinerator as it stands and I definitely oppose any further expansion of it. It is not needed, households are recycling and generating less waste for landfill and that is what we want. Any expansion will also create more vehicles on the roads around the site as waste will have to be brought in from outside Cheshire as it is clear it will not be local waste. We know this from the fact Labour-run Cheshire West and Chester Council are wanting to increase bin collections to three weekly from the current fortnightly – something else I oppose.
“The only conclusion you can draw from that is there is less waste. The council cannot have it both ways, if they believe there is less waste then they need to make it clear in submission to Government we do not want or need any expansion at the incinerator.”
As planning permission was granted in 2012 and these proposals are not to expand the incinerator but to change capacity a new planning application does not have to be submitted. Instead a decision is taken by Whitehall considering representations from local councils and residents.
Ms McVey previously met with members of Lach Dennis and Lostock Green and Lostock Gralam Parish Council on a zoom call to discuss this development.
She added: “People must respond to the consultation currently being run by Lostock Sustainable Energy Plant and contact Cheshire West and Chester Council and make clear they do not want any increase in capacity.
“I am writing to Cheshire West and Cheshire urging them to oppose this plan in a formal letter to Government.”
The consultation runs until February 28. To submit a response visit https://lostocksep.fccenvironment.co.uk/have-your-say/
