Amanda Milling, Member of Parliament for Cannock Chase, has this week raised in Parliament concerns over planning regulations for new homes in close proximity to waste sites which handle hazardous waste.
The Cannock Chase MP raised the issue in House of Commons Questions with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, the Rt Hon. Sajid Javid MP, following on-going concerns about the proximity of some of the Chenet Chase new homes to Augean Integrated Services, a waste process centre in Bridgetown, Cannock.
The waste processing centre, which is managed by Augean, handles dangerous chemicals that could pose a serious fire risk if exposed to a naked flame. Despite the company raising concerns on numerous occasions with Cannock Chase District Council, the Council went ahead and granted planning permission to build a new housing development right next to the site, and residents could be moving into these homes in a matter of weeks. The site operator and local MP believe some of these homes pose a serious public safety risk given that they are located so close to hazardous and flammable chemicals.
Amanda Milling said: “I have visited Augean’s operations in Cannock – they are a responsible business, their site is well managed and they rightly take the safety of their staff and the wider public very seriously. I can’t believe Cannock Chase District Council granted planning permission for these homes in such close proximity in the first place, despite Augean’s objections and the very serious fire risk. Ploughing on regardless of these risks is, in my view, simply irresponsible and I would urge all of the organisations involved in the housing development, from the Council, Galliford Try and Walsall Housing Group, to halt moving residents into these homes.”
The Cannock Chase MP has been working closely with Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service over the last year on the issue of fire hazards, following a number of waste fires across the county, including at an illegal waste site at a farm in Slitting Mill, Rugeley. This work has included joining Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Association to address an event organised by the Chief Fire Officers Association specifically focused on minimise the risks of fires at waste sites.
“The Grenfell Tower tragedy has been a stark reminder of the need to review fire risks. I know that Staffordshire Fire and Rescue have been undertaking a lot of work in relation to the fire risks associated with illegal waste sites across the county. I also know the waste industry and other organisations have been working hard looking at ways to reduce the fire risks at licensed waste sites. But, inevitably, storing hazardous waste and materials does present a fire risk and in this case an incident could be outside the control of the operators, Augean. I can’t believe permission was granted for the building of these homes in this exact location. Not only do I want to see local decisions reviewed but I will be meeting with the Rt Hon. Sajid Javid MP to ensure planning authorities consider the proximity of existing waste sites when granting permission for new housing developments.