ANY decision on the future of Frodsham’s Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) will only be taken after consutation with borough councillors from the town.
This assurance has been given by Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) following complaints from Frodsham councillors Lynn Riley and Chris Basey that the council was “taking short cuts” through its own planning system.
The two councillors complained they only learned CWaC had submitted an application to extend the life of the Frodsham tip by two years when they read about it in the press.
Cllr Riley said she had been a councillor for 17 years and had never known the council to short cut its own procedures before.
Cllr Basey said: “Had they bothered to talk to us we would have insisted on a five year extension for the tip. Given how this whole issue has been dealt with, we have no confidence that a two year extension gives CWAC time to do a proper job of appointing yet more consultants, doing a thorough review and having a proper and meaningful consultation with local people who use the tip.”
A CWaC spokesperson said: “Cheshire West and Chester Council is undertaking a review of the seven Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC) across the borough as part of the new Waste Management Strategy.
“The Frodsham HWRC has been operating under temporary planning permission for more than 20 years because the site has been deemed unsuitable for permanent planning permission. The current permission is set to expire over the summer.
“There have been some delays to the review process due to the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and the council has sought to further extend the temporary planning permission as an interim measure.
“The application is for a further two year period but clearly, a decision has to be taken over the long-term future of the site, which will be informed by the ongoing review of the HWRCs and the wider Place plan for Frodsham.
“Any decision about the future of the Frodsham HWRC will only be taken following engagement with ward members, residents and other interested parties. We will continue to keep these groups updated on the progress of the review. ”

“Local councillors WILL be consulted over Frodsham tip” – CWaC
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