©Copyright 2009 Phil Woolas. All Rights Reserved.
Labour Member of Parliament for
Oldham East and Saddleworth
Privacy Policy
Terms of use
You are here:
Home /
Phil Woolas MP demands explanation for the LibDem Council’s failure to object to tipping at Birks Quarry
(27 Jan 09)
Phil says the LibDem Council should now offer financial support to residents left fighting the tip alone.
Click this text for
a copy of the letter
What happens Now?
Click for details
Phil Woolas MP’s 2nd letter to the LibDem Council asks “will they object?” and “will they support residents?”
Click here for a copy of the 5 Feb 09 letter
Email Phil your views on Birks Quarry
Click here
Read the Birks Quarry entry
4 March 2009
Police concerns about Birks Quarry
In reply to a letter sent by Phil Woolas the police state that they would be “seriously concerned about any junction on the highway that cannot work safely if sufficient sightlines cannot be obtained. This location is particularly at risk if these cannot be obtained as the junction is on a steep hill and also on a bend. Traffic volumes will have significantly increased since the original planning process in the 1980's.”
They are also concerned that if there is “inadequate wheel washing then there is a real risk of deposited mud. High grip surfacing should not be considered as adequate to ameliorate this risk.”
9 March 2009
Phil Woolas is scathing about Oldham Council Chief Executive’s excuses for failing to object in full and in good time. “We’ll need to continue to press for answers” says Phil “The council officer himself has apologised but I will keep on this case and try to make sure the LibDems running the Council get their act together.”
17 March 2009
Phil Woolas lobbies the minister for Farming and the Environment Click to read the letter.
Residents shocked by “pathetic” Council response on Birks Quarry. “We’re considering a formal complaint to the Ombudsman” say residents.
Phil Woolas says:
“After all these months I now have a copy of the very thin response sent by the LibDem run Oldham Council to the Environment Agency on 2nd June 2008 in response to the Birks Quarry Opengoal Tip Licence application. 540,000 tons of rubble are going to trundle past local residents’ homes and this is the best the LibDems could do. No wonder it has taken so long to get it released. It is pathetic”
Click here to see a copy - but prepared to be shocked
27 March 2009
Phil Woolas writes to the Chairman of the Environment Agency asking him to visit the site
Birks Quarry Action Group say “Thanks, Phil, for your crucial support”
Click here to see their letter
1 April 2009
Phil Woolas calls on the Health and Safety Executive to step in to stop the tipping Click to read the letter.
14 April 2009
Phil Woolas is delighted the Environment Agency has refused a permit to tip at Birks Quarry - but the tip firm intend to appeal. Click for more details
21 May 2009
Tip firm Opengoal appeal against refusal. Click for details
Phil Woolas MP opposes the appeal “I’ll give evidence in person to support residents” he says
Click here to see a copy of his letter (1 June 2009) to the Planning Inspectorate
LibDems attacked over Birks Quarry claims
Action Group member says:
“Don’t try to claim credit .. for our hard work”
Click for details
“Had it not been for Phil Woolas, our (LibDem) council would not have even appealed”
Read the devastating letter from the Birks Quarry Action Group click this box
1 June 2009
Phil Woolas writes opposing the appeal. Click for details
11 June 2009
Devastating letter from Action Group in Oldham Chronicle praises Phil’s role but attacks the LibDem claims of victory on Birks Quarry.
20 August 2009 - Birks Quarry Appeal - date set
The two-day inquiry into the appeal by Opengoal against the Environment Agency’s rejection of their plans will start on Wednesday, September 9. Phil Woolas MP has strongly backed the Birks Quarry Action Group's campaign against the plans to tip 540,000 tonnes of waste at the quarry. Residents are strongly opposed to tipping at the quarry. Members of the public can attend the inquiry and — at the discretion of the inspector — express their views.
The inquiry will be held in the Oldham Council Chamber at the Civic Centre, starting at 10am on both days.
11 September 2009 - Birks Quarry Public Inquiry adjourned until 29 September 2009
Two days just wasn’t long enough for the public inquiry into the appeal by Opengoal against the Environment Agency’s rejection of their plans to tip in Birks Quarry.
Phil Woolas MP has strongly backed the Birks Quarry Action Group's campaign against the plans to tip 540,000 tonnes of waste at the quarry. Residents are strongly opposed to tipping at the quarry. He attended the inquiry and gave evidence opposing tipping.
Phil says “I was very impressed by the evidence given by the Birks Quarry Action Group. Their work opposing tipping has been very well researched and prepared.”
Phil Woolas was scathing about the failure of the LibDems Parliamentary Spokesperson, Elwyn Watkins, to even turn up at the inquiry. “Watkins has sniped and grumbled and criticised from the sidelines - just for political advantage. But when residents need him to back them, he’s nowhere to be seen!”
Where were the LibDems at the Birks Quarry Public Inquiry?
says Birk Quarry Action Group (11 September 2009)
Only four of the nine LibDem local councillors bothered turning up for the public inquiry. LibDem parliamentary candidate Elwyn Watkins didn’t manage it either. Phil says “Why not - what was more important than this?”
The response of the Birks Quarry Action Group has been scathing. They said
“...it was extremely disappointing that only four of our local councillors bothered to attend the public hearing, one of those despite not being well.
Liberal Democrat Councillors Beeley, Sedgewick, Lord and local Labour Councillor Hulme were present. Others, all Liberal Democrats, and who had attended the January's public meeting disappointingly were not. Sadly, despite promises to be there and a desire to become more involved with the group, Mr Watkins (prospective Lib Dem candidate for our constituency) did not appear.
Councillor Beeley and Mr Phil Woolas, our MP, attended and gave evidence to oppose Birk's Quarry's use for landfill operations. Well over thirty residents attended. We would also have expected (LibDem councillor) Mr Mark Alcock, in his capacity as champion for the Environment in Oldham, to attend, sadly he did not.”
Click here to read the full text from the action group
Read the Oldham Chronicle story
Sheikhen - not stirred
Sheikhen - not stirred
HE Sheikh Abdullah A. Alhamrani
Is this man the reason the LibDem parliamentary candidate didn’t bother turning up to the Birks Quarry Public Inquiry?
Click for details
Birks Quarry appeal WON!
Click here for details