Wingmoor battle goes on in Cheltenham

​Campaigners have been out in force to remind Bishop’s Cleeve residents the battle against a “waste empire” is not over.

Safety in Waste and Rubbish Disposal (Sward) delivered leaflets to all the residents living near the Wingmoor Farm site in the village to get across the message: ‘There is still time to oppose the plans’.

Grundon Waste Management, which runs the site, has applied to renew its hazardous waste operation for another 20 years.

At a meeting last month, Tewkesbury Borough Council, a consultee on the application, voted in favour, allowing Grundon to continue dumping waste at the site.

But Sward campaigner Barbara Farmer is urging residents not to give up, as the final decision lies with Gloucestershire County Council.

She said: “There are 15,000 people living within three kilometres of this site.

“They need to make sure the county planning committee hears their views.”

Wingmoor Farm handles tonnes of hazardous waste every year including pollutants, chemicals and toxic fly ash – a residue created from burning coal.

According to Sward, it is on the map of toxic hotspots for pollutants because of the vast amount of fly ash deposited there, the basic method of dealing with it and the proximity to local homes.

Residents have been campaigning for years and fear the landfill site may have long-term health effects.

Barbara said: “What began as a small operation has mushroomed into a waste empire with no regard for the increasing nuisance to surrounding villages – 20 years is long enough.”

She added: “Toxic waste is being sent from incinerators all over the UK. Gloucestershire should no longer be a dumping ground for other people’s poison.”

Gloucestershire County Council’s planning committee will consider the application on March 11.

So far nearly 800 objections have been sent to Gloucestershire County Council and Sward believes the final number will be over a thousand.

Barbara said Tewkesbury Borough Council was only a consultee on the application and the final decision will be made by the county council.

“By law, planning authorities must take into consideration the fears and concerns of the public.

“We are trusting out county councillors to protect our health and our environment by listening to the views of the residents.”

A spokeswoman for Grundon said the site does not pose a risk to the public.

For more information, visit www.swardbishopscleeve.co.uk.