Labour councillors for Sowerby Bridge and Skircoat have welcomed the decision by Calderdale’s Labour cabinet to refuse the application for an environmental permit to operate an incinerator at Calder Valley Skip Hire’s Mearclough site.

Cllr Dot Foster, who previously spoke against the application for planning permission for an incinerator at the Belmont site, said, “I am delighted that the Labour cabinet has taken this decision. This is the outcome local people were hoping for.”

Skircoat councillor Colin Hutchinson added, “During the recent election, many residents raised their concerns about the incinerators proposals. They told me of their worries about the impact on air quality, and long term concerns about breathing problems in children, in particular.”

“Labour councillors have been working with Halifax MP Holly Lynch to support residents in opposing the two proposals for incinerators at the Belmont and Mearclough sites”, added Cllr Adam Wilkinson. “Now we need residents to remain vigilant in case the company challenges the decision, and to continue to work to make the case that these are not suitable locations for waste incineration.”