MORE than 150 protesters waving placards met planning chiefs when they visited a quarry at Shuttleworth on Wednesday (Aug 4)

The campaigners are fighting plans to turn a quarry into a tip and councillors were on a site visit before making a decision on the controversial proposals.

The protesters placards read: "No to Landfill" and they lined the road leading to Fletcher Bank Quarry.

Mr Tony Ingham, leading member of protest group Ramsbottom Against Landfill (RALF) who organised the public demonstration, said he was pleased with the show of support. Protesters included all the local councillors. Members were given a chance to put their objections and concerns to county councillors and planning chiefs.

Mr Ingham said: "We made our point and put forward our objections before the site visit."

Biffa Waste Services Ltd, the firm at the centre of the controversial application, want to dispose of 4.4 million cubic metres of household industrial and commercial waste for the next 15 years at the site, when quarry work finishes there next year.

RALF has organised a high-profile campaign to get their application overturned. A decision is likely to be made later this year.

Speaking exclusively to the Bury Times after the demonstration, Mr Ingham revealed that he had been approached by Marshalls Mono, the company quarrying the site, with a view to changing the planning application.

Mr Ingham claimed the company want to know RALF's views if only inert waste, such as building material, and not chemical waste is disposed of at the site.

"By approaching us, it is quite clear that Marshalls Mono, who are responsible for the site once the quarrying finishes, have little confidence in Biffa's application," said Mr Ingham.

Mr Steve Haymes, landfill manager of Biffa Waste Services Ltd. said the application was being revised following consultation with the people and various bodies.

He said: "We are currently looking at the possibility of making various modifications to the application. In particular we are looking at the pre-treatment of waste - how recycleables could be taken out prior to landfill."

He added: "However, this does not mean that the residual waste would be inert."

He refused to comment on Mr Ingham's conversation with Marshalls Mono.

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