FEARS are growing that the Arpley landfill site could be extended by up to half its present size.

Waste Recycling Group Plc (WRG), which owns the site, has not yet submitted a planning application to extend the site, but neither has it denied the rumours that an application may be imminent.

There have been suggestions that if the site is extended it will go either into Moore or into Penketh and Cuerdley, with the entrance moved to Moore.

Clr John Taylor, chairman of the borough's Arpley landfill liaison committee, said that he knew of no formal decision, but he believes that the company is looking for a long-term investment in the site.

The existing site has only a seven-year lifespan and has recently been bought by WRG from Yorkshire Water.

Clr Taylor said: "I would not be surprised to see an application come in, but I am hoping that it never will.

"A lot of people think that Warrington is becoming the dumping ground for the country."

John Mulhall, secretary of the Agenda 21 waste committee, told a meeting on Tuesday night: "If this authority gives a licence to extend it will be totally undermining the whole recycling process this Government wants to follow."

Cyril Heeley, chairman of Moore Parish Council, said he hoped that Moore would not be affected but added: "It would certainly be opposed by the parish council and the residents would be totally opposed."

Clr Linda Dirir, borough councillor for Penketh and Cuerdley, said: "I think they always planned that some time in the future they may want to extend."

She feels that any extention of the tip would be into Moore, and said the answer is to stop taking great quantities of waste from Liverpool and Manchester.

She said: "Arpley is licensed to take 1.4 million tonnes of waste and at the moment Warrington generates only 100,000 tonnes.

"Already the residents are sick of the sight of the tip in Sankey Bridges and Penketh. These people have suffered enough."

A spokesman for WRG said: "WRG has a commitment to share any firm development proposals it may have for the site with members of the Arpley landfill liaison committee before any planning application is submitted and cannot comment further at this stage.

"In order to ensure that our customers are able to meet the new Government objectives, WRG is currently reviewing the role and type of waste management facilities that will be needed in the region."

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