BATTLE lines have been drawn at a public inquiry which will help to determine the future of the proposed anaerobic digestion waste plant at Fletcher Bank Quarry in Ramsbottom.

The inquiry, which is being held at Bury Town Hall and chaired by independent inspector Ian Jenkins, is hearing submissions from the applicants, Peel Environmental and Marshalls Mono Ltd, Bury Council, who opposed the development at a meeting of the council's planning committee last year, as well as protest group Ramsbottom Against Waste Site. (RAWS)

The plans would see 45,000 tonnes of food waste brought into the plant every year, which would be converted into heat and electricity in a complex process, with any excess energy being sent to the National Grid.

Mr Jenkins told the hearing that the main issues to be discussed include whether the development meets the special circumstances required to build on the Green Belt, and whether the plant would result in an unacceptable amount of odour in the local area.

In the applicants' opening statement at the hearing, their legal representative, Mr Andrew Williamson, said the main purpose of the plant is to allow Marshalls to power its adjacent concrete manufacturing plant.

He said: "The driver and primary purpose of bringing forward the proposals was to help meet the company's aspirations in respect of its climate change obligations."

Mr Williamson continued: "The substantial benefits that would flow from a grant of permission do clearly provide the very special circumstances that are required to satisfy the terms of Green Belt policy."

The inquiry was told that the applicants will call on seven witnesses, who will seek to demonstrate the claimed benefits of the plant to the inspector, including economic benefits, the benefits of the renewable energy, as well as attempt to address concerns raised by RAWS.

Mr Eric Owen, Bury Council's legal representative, said the council's argument is that the appeal should be rejected because it is an inappropriate development in the Green Belt, and that it would produce "unacceptable odour".

He said: "The position of the council in this case is that odours emanating from the appeal site and its offensive nature will give rise to unacceptable annoyance and loss of amenity to local residents for unpredictable quantities of time with the result that planning consent should be withheld.

"Moreover, the management and conditioning of the site will not eliminate odours and prevent an unacceptable loss of local amenity."

The council plans to call on two witnesses, with RAWS set to call on six witnesses during the hearing,

Ramsbottom Cllr Ian Bevan, on behalf of RAWS, said: "The anaerobic digestion plant would be visible for many miles, damaging views for locals and valued tourists alike.

"In essence, an industrial scale factory-like building would be imposed right in the middle of the countryside in Shuttleworth. Odours emanating from the site, with a prevailing wind, would be detected in the town centre."

The inquiry continues today and is expected to run for at least another two weeks.