SalfordOnline

Green Lane Eco Park - Sky Properties respond

Sky Properties has expressed delight at the huge response to the first of a programme of meetings to discuss its multi-million pound plans for a state-of-the-art facility to recycle and generate renewable energy.

About 130 residents of Monton, Salford, attended a meeting at the Monton House Hotel organised and hosted by facility developer Sky Properties.

In addition, Salford MP Hazel Blears attended and agreed to support a new residents’ liaison group of around 20 people who will represent the local community in its communication with Sky Properties.

The event was designed to continue full public consultation about the proposed plans to construct a Green Lane Eco Park on disused industrial land off Green Lane, Salford, to contribute to sustainable waste management in Greater Manchester, generate sufficient electricity to power 15,000 homes and heat that could be used by local industry and create 50 full-time jobs.

The meeting agreed that a 20-strong community liaison group of residents will be formed to ensure direct communication between Sky Properties and local people to ensure their views are heard and addressed.

The event followed a three-day public exhibition of the plans organised by Sky Properties and its leafleting of almost 1,000 residents.

The Green Lane site has been designated for industrial use in Salford Council planning policy and is listed as a site suitable for waste management in the emerging GMWDA proposed plan.

As a responsible developer, Sky Properties has been trying to find an acceptable use for the site. On 21st December 2006 by Committee decision, Sky was refused planning permission by the council for a residential housing scheme. Sky Properties appealed this decision but was again refused planning permission in 2007.

The meeting is part of a public consultation before the planning application is submitted to Salford Council. There will then be a period of formal consultation with Sky and the Council where residents can also have their say about the Sky Properties’ proposals.

Sky Properties will continue to pursue the plan alongside an ongoing dialogue with representatives of the local community to assess and debate options for the site.

Residents’ concerns over traffic were addressed at the meeting. Anthony Hirsch of Sky Properties reminded residents that the site was designated for development and that traffic would increase irrespective of whatever scheme was proposed. All other options except the Eco Park will lead to more vehicle movements on local roads.

Anthony Hirsch said: “We’re delighted by the response to the initial dialogue with the Monton community led by Sky Properties, and that Hazel Blears MP has offered to assist in the consultation.

“We have resolved to go forward with a focused Community Liaison Group of around 20 Monton residents to concentrate on key issues.”

Source: SKV Communications

[Update] Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority have been in touch with SalfordOnline to ask that the line: "listed as a site suitable for waste management in the emerging GMWDA proposed plan" be removed from the above article.

Said a spokesperson for the authority: "This is not a GMWDA proposed plan (Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority). GMWDA is responsible for household waste in Greater Manchester and is not involved or responsible for the proposed plan for the disposal of industrial waste at this site. GMWDA would appreciate if this was retracted."

[Update] Sky Properties have been in touch to amend their article; a spokesperson for Sky Properties said: “The Green Lane site has been designated for industrial use in Salford Council planning policy and is listed as a site suitable for waste management in the emerging Greater Manchester Joint Waste Development Plan.”

Related Links

Comment by Guest  3rd February 2010 To correct Sky, again, the land is designated for EMPLOYMENT use.

Comment by Guest  3rd February 2010 Asbestos scare at old factory From Salford Advertiser 19/ 6/2008 AN ASBESTOS scare has caused villagers to call for urgent clean-up action at a derelict factory in Monton. Parents are worried that the former Mitchell Shackleton on Canal Bank has turned into a lethal playground for their children. And they have turned to the village’s own website to warn other families of the danger. Monton Village Community Association chairman Paul Ashton said: "We were alerted to the problem when messages began to flood our website. "Immediately, we phoned the council to ask them to send environmental health officers out to investigate. "The site is just not secure enough and is proving a real lure to children wanting to play on it, but if there is asbestos about they could be playing with their lives." Councillor Derek Antrobus, lead member for planning at Salford City Council, said they have been out to investigate. Cllr Antobus said: "The site is owned by private developers whose responsibility it is to keep the site safe and secure. "We have agreed with the developers that the area needs to be secured and that we will do this on their behalf and recharge the costs to them. "In the meantime we’d like to urge people to stay away from the area while it is being properly secured." Anthony Hirsch, boss of Chester Developments, who own the premises, said asbestos had been found on the premises during demolition of the buildings but it was of the non-toxic variety. He said: "It was the kind of asbestos used in wall cladding and has all been safely removed by our contractors. However, despite our best efforts to keep the premises secure from intruders, youngsters are still being drawn to the site and will always find some way to get in. "We would respectfully suggest to all those parents who are worried about their children, to make sure they know where they are and impress upon them not to break into the premises. They have responsibilities like us." Chester Developments wanted to build a £100m eco-friendly estate on the 11-acre plot but have run up against council objections because the land was designated for industrial use under the city’s Unitary Development Plan. The company’s revised plans were also turned down by the Secretary of State and they are now taking their proposals to a judicial review, due to be heard in September

Comment by Guest  3rd February 2010 The site of the former Mitchell Shackleton engineering works has been bought by Anthony Hirsch, of Chester Developments, who wants to turn it into eco-friendly apartments

Comment by Guest  3rd February 2010 more funny handshakes lies special friends when the truth comes out it will hurt

Comment by Guest  3rd February 2010 Beware of Hazel bearing gifts! She is looking to repair her tarnished image in our city, you only have to gauge the non committal response from Victoria Buzza on behalf of the council/regeneration planners to see the real political intention.

Comment by Guest  2nd February 2010 liars........ the truth of the matter is that Sky properties AKA Anthony Hirsch and the PR spin doctors...are exactly that!!!

Comment by Guest  2nd February 2010 What a load of rubbish- this is pure spin and I am both amazed and disgusted that Sky have been allowed to publish this article!!

Comment by Guest  1st February 2010 Well said

Comment by Guest  1st February 2010 So far from the truth.

Comment by Guest  1st February 2010 oh for goodness sake this is pure spin on words....sky properties are greedy developers who bought the land when prices were at their peak and are now absolutely desperate to put something on this piece of land. "Where there's muck there's brass"...many landlords are doing this as the government has allowed this to happen, taxing all local councils if they don't get rid of waste! Get rid of the labour party and we may possibly have a healthier, happier future in Salford!

Comment by Guest  1st February 2010 Hazel Blears is against it, you must be joking! its just a front. Her and this Labour Government have signed us up to a massive recycling programme. It’s a ploy to get re-Elected, don’t be fooled.

Comment by Guest  1st February 2010 Hazel Blears made it clear she is against this and also the Salford council cabinet are against it. Just need the planning to reject the application and send the developers back to the drawing board.

Comment by Guest  1st February 2010 So despite a Facebook campaign with (as of now) 1,037 members and a petition signed by 378 people, they have agreed to consult with 20 people!!!

Comment by TomSO  1st February 2010 As you can see, this is a press release received from SKV Communications (see Source). If you'd like to hear residents views and read my report on the night, please click on the related link.

Comment by Guest  1st February 2010 That totally contradicts the article on here where noone was in favour of the dump, Tony Flynn you need to counterct this with the TRUTH please

Comment by Guest  1st February 2010 "Hazel Blears MP has offered to assist in the consultation". Not another bandwagon for Blah Blah to jump on and certainly fail like everything she supports.

Comment by Guest  1st February 2010 ....spinning the truth

Comment by Guest  1st February 2010 This is a very biased account of proceedings and totally at odds with actual events on the night. It seems that the slick PR machine has commenced sin the truth operations already! Truth is that this is a morrally delinquent application based on a mans greed for proffit.

Leave a Comment ( Please leave your name or a pseudonym so that we can follow your thread )