AS we were unable to address our concerns with the Tata application at Thursday night’s council meeting, we thought it important for residents to be clear about our position and the actions we have taken to date in objecting to this application.

Since the application was first submitted in August, we have raised our concerns both as Northwich Town and Cheshire West and Chester councillors, initiating member discussions, inviting CHAIN to present their objections and grilling officials at Tata about the proposals.

We have fully shared the concerns of residents about the impact this application poses to air quality, further increases to the volume of vehicle traffic and road safety hazards, particularly to children and the elderly.

We fully supported the call by the three local MPs for an Environmental Impact Assessment and helped compose the submission by Northwich Town Council to the Government calling for the application to be withdrawn and a new one re-submitted allowing proper scrutiny against these concerns. We also submitted our own individual objections in support of Cheshire West and Chester Planning Departments response.

The matter is now with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Greg Clarke.

We now both hope the concerns of the town are listened to and this application is withdrawn.

Cllrs Paul Dolan and Sam Naylor Winnington and Castle Ward