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   Big business backs Green Lane Eco Park
The company hoping to build a recycling plant in Eccles have received a boost today from business leaders in Manchester. The recycling and gasification plant slated for Green Lane, between Monton and Patricroft, has received the backing of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) and the Institute of Directors in the North West (NWIoD). Both the GMCC and the NWIoD have written to Salford City Council to back the plans submitted by Sky Properties for the Green Lane Eco Park. Anthony Hirsch of Sky Properties, who are planning the build said: “We are delighted that the organisations representing businesses in Greater Manchester can see the merits of our proposals. “The Green Lane Eco Park offers the opportunity to regenerate disused employment land through an investment of £70m in the local community, creating jobs and training placements and supporting local businesses by offering a more cost-effective and environmentally responsible way of managing local business waste.” If Salford City Council grants planning permission for the Eco Park it will treat and manage about 240,000 tonnes of local business waste each year via a Materials Recovery Facility, an Anaerobic Digestion plant and a Gasification plant. The Chamber’s letter states: “These proposals have the potential to deliver £70m of private investment, creating 60 permanent jobs at a time of high unemployment and low economic growth. They will ensure the decontamination, security and re-use of a large derelict site." The NWIoD letter notes: “There is a sound environmental conclusion that limiting the travelling distances between business waste facilities benefits all and is a long term investment, and the sensible use of an existing site.” But locals have come out in fierce opposition to the plans, citing unsustainable increases in traffic and pollution if the building goes ahead. The proximity of the 4.3ha site to a park, children's play area and local homes has also been questioned. Salford MP Hazel Blears is backing the protest against the build. Spokesperson for the protest group Say No To Green Lane Incinerator, Hani El-Qasem, questioned the use of business leaders to promote the campaign. "This is a bit baffling. It would be incorrect to state that business leaders are backing the plan, as there is a signifcant amount of opposition from local business leaders who are supporting our campaign. "The bulk of the shops in the area are against the application, as are the owners of the Naysmyth Business Park and Business and Technology Centre, which own the majority of the property around the site." Mr El-Qasem criticised the comments for a "significant lack of foresight" and offered detailed criticism of the comments. He continued: "Their support seems to be based around the following issues; a need for this type of technology in the region, the initial capital investment and also the 50 jobs which may be created. "On the first issue, there is no pressing need. It should be noted that the site has recently been removed from the Greater Manchester Joint Waste Development Plan Document as surplus to requirements. "Secondly, the initial capital investment, will most defintely be outweighed by the deteriation of future investment in the area. "Several of the surrounding commercial property owners are supporting our campaign and will be forced to hold back on future investment should the plant go ahead. Finally, the jobs created by such a plant are "a drop in the ocean" to those he sees as being lost if and when businesses and people move to leave the area. He added: "In short, it's bad for people, bad for business and bad for Salford." The contest continues. For those who are interested, the planning application reference numbers are 10/59092/FULEIA (full application for the gasification proposals) and outline application for the anaerobic digestion and recycling proposals: 10/59093/OUTEIA. Follow the link below to view the full plans.
Read the full plans on Salford Council's Planning site click here
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