CASTLE Cement is appealing against restrictions on the controversial burning of Cemfuel.

In January, pollution watchdogs issued a variation notice to the Clitheroe firm altering some of the conditions for the use of Cemfuel at its Ribblesdale works.

The firm is also appealing against an end of year deadline set by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution to improve the plume grounding problem which local residents claim is causing health problems.

"We accept 90 per cent of the variation notice but some conditions give no environmental benefit and will, in fact, prevent us from improving our environmental performance," said environment manager Iain Walpole, who said the appeal had been lodged to protect the firm's legal position.

"We will of course meet the requirement of the end of April to make proposals to HMIP on what we intend to do.

"We are however being realistic by saying that because of matters beyond our control we cannot guarantee all necessary work will be completed by the end of the year."

Mr Walpole pointed out that HMIP would probably need time to consider Castle's proposals and there may need to be a period of public consultation.

Planning permission may also have to be sought for building work at the site. The firm said it had completed scientific research into plume grounding and was now investigating potential solutions with manufacturers.

Other parts of the variation notice which Castle is appealing against include the need to specify a maximum calorific value and content of fuel and emission limits for sulphur dioxide, which the firm claims does not allow for natural variations in the raw materials for cement-making.

Gordon Prentice, Labour MP for Pendle, today said the news of the appeal was "extremely disappointing" for local residents.

"I think it is appalling that Castle Cement should be telling us that the problem will now not be resolved by December.

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans called on Castle to keep to the original deadline to tackle the plume grounding problem.

And he urged an HMIP investigation into a spillage of Cemfuel at the site last week.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.