CBI backs proposed £70m Salford waste facility

THE Confederation of British Industry has thrown its support behind Sky Properties’ plan for a waste management site at Green Lane in Salford.

The CBI’s North West regional director, Damian Waters, has written to Salford Council ahead of a meeting on July 19 at which the project’s future is set to be decided.

Waters said that the plans “offer an opportunity for much-needed economic development in an area of Salford in dire need of support”.

“Additionally, the plans for the Eco Park offer both long-term economic investment and a substantial reduction in CO2 emissions.”

Sky Properties has said that its proposed development will create more than 60 full-time jobs and potentially create enough energy from an energy from waste plant to provide heat and power to 15,000 homes.

Anthony Hirsch of Sky Properties says: “We are delighted that the CBI has added its name to the list of business organisations which see the merit of our proposals.

However, there has also been some opposition from local residents to Sky Properties’ proposal, with local MP Hazel Blears being among those opposing the scheme. A campaiogn group titled Say No to Green Lane Incinerator, is planning a rally this Saturday against the proposed development at Shackleton St Park.

The campaign’s chairman, Hani- El-Qasem, said that it had collected more than 4,000 signatures for a petition against the scheme, and added that 1,000 letters of objection had been sent to Salford Council.

Qasem said that the proposed site included “unproven” energy-from-waste technoigy which was being deployed close to a park and a school.

“The community’s opposition to this incinertor is absolute, we do not want it, do not need it and will not take it,” he said.