Inquiry no-show angers campaigner
Reporter: Ken Bennett
Date published: 16 September 2009
AN anti-tip campaigner has admonished a prospective parliamentary candidate and councillors for failing to attend a key public inquiry.
Robert Knotts, committee member of the Birks Quarry Action Group, said he was disappointed Elwyn Watkins, the Lib-Dems candidate, was not at the two-day hearing.
In a note Mr Knotts, a former RAF squadron leader, said: “Sadly, despite promises to be there and a desire to become more involved with the group, Mr Watkins did not appear.
“Not withstanding his exaggerated claims about some of the councillors’ contributions, it was extremely disappointing only four local councillors attended the public hearing, one of those despite not being well.
“In a Liberal Democrat campaign leaflet Mr Watkins said: “It is a bit rich for Phil Woolas to claim credit (for the then Birks Quarry victory where the Environment Agency rejected the permit application) when it is local people and councillors who have done all the work’.”
Mr Knotts went on: “I do not support any local political party. However, I think it not unreasonable to expect our elected representatives and any prospective candidates to attend and fully support the efforts of residents opposing a major project that, if granted, will adversely affect the safety of the community they represent.
“To say resident members of the Birks Quarry Action Group are disappointed about poor attendance by our local councillors is an understatement.
“Sadly this lack of support by councillors that my colleagues and I have witnessed and experienced with respect to the Birks Quarry inquiry is indicative of extremely poor representation.”
Councillor Barbara Beeley and Phil Woolas, former Minister of the Environment and MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, gave evidence to oppose Birks Quarry’s use for landfill operations.
In an email to Mr Knotts, Mr Watkins said: “I fully intended to be at the inquiry, but as I previously stated in writing to you, this would be dependent on work commitments.
“I did, though, speak to ward councillors and the deputy leader of the council in the week prior to the hearing to discuss what was being prepared.”
One councillor, who was on holiday during the hearing, said he contacted the planning inspectorate and EA and reiterated his objections.
Another who did not go to the hearing said councillors representing the ward covering Birks Quarry residents did attend along with more than 30 local residents.
The hearing was adjourned until Tuesday, September 29. “We hope greater support will be forthcoming on that day,” Mr Knotts declared.
