THE Government has denied protestors a new public inquiry in their long fight to stop hazardous chemical waste being stored in Winsford Salt Mine.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott decided last week that he would judge whether to give the go-ahead to the controversial planning application by Minosus on the basis of written representations made in the case so far.

Challenge

Mr Prescott invited all parties at last year's original inquiry to submit their views shortly after he sensationally backed down in the face of a High Court challenge from Moulton resident Peggy Kent in February this year.

However, pressure group Residents Against Mining Pollution (RAMP) is remaining optimistic and says members will write in with more reasons why plans to establish the facility should not be allowed.

A spokesman said: "We have not got a public inquiry, but we feel that the written representations our group can make might give us a better chance to put things logically, rather than having to think on our feet.

"We have been doing a bit of research and the group is going to through to the bitter end - we don't want to see a good facility at the mine ruined.

"The archive system with the storage of documents has shown what can be done with it.

"It is good to have the support of our MP Stephen O'Brien and if he can add any weight to anything, it would help. We have proved that we are a credible group"

Roger Shaw, managing director at Minosus, said: "Given the very thorough examination of our proposals by the inquiry inspector and the fact that the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) has subsequently afforded all parties every opportunity to submit written representations, we have not felt that the re-opening of the inquiry was either necessary or justified.

"We were consequently pleased to receive the letter from the ODPM insofar as it marks another step along the planning path."

Eddisbury MP Stephen O' Brien, who has been backing RAMP, parish councils and concerned residents since he was elected in 1999, has slammed the decision.

He said: "I am very disappointed the Deputy Prime Minister has failed to listen to the concerns of local representatives and residents on the importance of having a new, but shorter independent, public inquiry to scrutinise a number of new issues of concern surrounding the toxic waste dump proposals."

rfraser@guardiangrp.co.uk