Garston residents to seek judicial review over hazardous waste plant

People living near a hazardous waste processing site have vowed to seek a judicial review over a decision to expand its operations.

Plans by Veolia UK to install two new 98ft (30m) towers for managing and recycling waste in Garston, Liverpool, were approved by council planners.

Almost 600 people submitted objections to the plans.

One campaigner told the meeting he feared Garston would become "a dustbin" but Veolia rejected the criticism.

Committee members approved the application after a site visit, where they asked questions of council officers and Veolia staff. Protesters gathered as the visit took place.

The location has operated since 2000 and the two new towers will expand capacity by 28,000 tonnes.

The facility offers companies a service for handling, cleansing, purification and recycling solvents.

The plant operates around the clock, with a capacity to process 42,000 tonnes of hazardous solvent waste per year.

But Veolia rejected claims it would contribute to noise, pollution and health problems in the area.

Nicola Henshaw, of Veolia UK, said the development represented a "significant investment" of £72m and said no objections had been received from relevant bodies such as the Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive.

But Liberal councillor Billy Lake told the meeting: "Everything's fine until something goes wrong. I would be concerned if I lived in any proximity to the plant.

"If there was an accident there and there's noxious fumes, I'd want to know if my house was in the direction of them. It was very important when Chernobyl blew."

Campaigner Gary Woollam said he and other residents would now seek a judicial review of the decision.

Through tears, he said: "Garston needs better than this. We deserve better than this. There is no benefit or gain - all that we're going to gain is chemical risk."

Resident Barbara Marshall said: "I am very sad. It's not going to add anything positive to Garston at all."

Garston councillor Sam Gorst accused Veolia of showing "contempt" for the community.

However, Paul Farrell, who manages Liverpool City Council's environmental protection unit, said the impact of the site would be "imperceptible" despite the concerns.

"It will have no impact on the health of residents in Garston," he said.

Four councillors voted in favour of the application while three abstained.

Ms Henshaw said she was pleased with the outcome.

"It means the facility will increase its supply of recycled materials to UK businesses that have been affected by the global shortage of microchips and semiconductors," she said.

"This expansion will give the facility a long-term, sustainable future, whilst maintaining high standards of safety and environmental controls."

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