Liberal Democrat Councillors have welcomed news that a proposal to develop a huge waste-to-energy incinerator plant in Heyside appears now to be on hold.

In January 2021, Liberal Democrat Group Leader Councillor Howard Sykes MBE highlighted that the development by Synergy could mean 18,000 more HGV journeys to and from the site every year and that the burning of waste creates atmospheric pollution that has an adverse impact on public health. 

Responding to recent news which suggests the current plan has indeed now been put on hold, Councillor Sykes commented:

“For my constituents and for me this would be an enormous relief.  This is just not the right site.  The local community would be massively affected by the increase in heavy truck traffic travelling to and from the site, and we all share grave concerns about the negative impact on public health that would result from the air pollution generated through burning millions of tons of waste on site every year.”

“However, we need to be on our guard. This may only be a temporary halt, because applicant Synergy may in the future bring a revised proposal before the Council and the public.”

Previous comments on this item below.

Massive incinerator planned | Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)

Will Heyside blaze (Oldham) mean end of incinerator plan? | Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)