Your front page report last week about the Lostock waste incinerator contained the shattering revelation by TATA that not one single watt of the electricity generated by the monster would be used in their chemical plant next door.

My understanding is that the planning consent to build the incinerator was granted because TATA convinced the Government back in 2011 that the electricity output would be essential for the very viability and long term survival of the Lostock factory.  

I am certain of this because I and other members of the public were in the room at the public inquiry in the Northwich Victoria Football Club when we heard TATA executives and their legal representatives repeat that claim time and time again.

And now, the whole basis of the planning application and subsequent consent has been blown apart.

What we have is nothing but a misbegotten crazy scheme to build an enormous electricity generating station, serviced by nearly 300 HGVs every day, in a residential neighbourhood near the town centre in order to generate power for the national grid.

Nothing to do with saving jobs in Northwich and absolutely no reason why it should not be situated in a remote more suitable area away from homes and schools where it could be accessed by rail and/or a proper road network instead of a narrow lane like Griffiths Road.   I am told that there are several locations that already meet these criteria in the north west.  I trust that the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Greg Clark MP, listens to the pleadings of the three MPs and does his duty to protect the citizens of Northwich.

At the very minimum, he should recognise that the world has changed in our town in many ways since 2011 and demands that TATA submit a new planning application to take account of these new realities.

It is also time that Cheshire West and Chester Council, elected councillors and officials, step up to the plate and give their full support to Northwich. It will be a betrayal if they dodge their  responsibilities on this matter.

I would also like to remind your readers, if I may, that the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy will accept comments and objections to the TATA variation application until 28 September.

The email address is beiseip@beis.gov.uk

Liam Byrne  

Little Leigh