Canatxx gas storage plans plans get a rough ride at Wyre

(source: Garstang Courier)

Published on Wed May 13 15:35:42 BST 2009

Wyre planning committee has voted unanimously to urge decision makers at County Hall to reject Canatxx's controversial gas store plan for the Wyre estuary.

Pressure group leaders, members of the public and councillors lined up to condemn the gas store project proposed by the American-based company.

Wyre Council was being asked its views on the plans as part of County Hall's consultation with interested parties.

Planning chairman Coun Paul Moon reserved strong words for Canatxx and its backers, four of whom also spoke in the public section of the meeting.

Coun Moon, of Preesall, told Canatxx agent Mr Phil Grant it was bizarre that the council was being asked to decide on important matters when Canatxx had repeatedly failed to provide relevant data.

Coun Moon told Mr Grant: "You have not done yourself any favours. The people of Preesall and Knott End are beside themselves with fear."

Mr Grant had told the committee Canatxx wanted to work with the council with a view to getting its objections withdrawn.

Also in the public section of the meeting Mr Malcolm Clegg, a safety expert, said Canatxx's fire and safety details were "inadequate."

Mr Ian Mulroy, chairman of the Protect Wyre Group, said: "There is a sense of outrage that Canatxx are allowed to keep putting applications forward without the necessary investigative work beforehand."

He said the area where Canatxx wants to base its control centre at Agglebys Lane had been declared unsafe by former landowners ICI several years ago. He said Canatxx's map showed a complete road, but in reality part of it had collapsed into an old brine well.

Former St Aidans High School teacher Ms Gemma Jackson said: "I fear for the people of Preesall. This is an absolute outrage."

Supporting the application Canatxx adviser Mr Andrew Saunders of Warrington, said the pumping out of salty solution into Morecambe Bay from the drilling work would have a limited impact on marine life. He said discharge consent had already been obtained from the Environment Agency for that part of the project.

Pro-Canatxx consultant Mr Alan Tyldsley, a former HSE inspector, said risks would be properly controlled.

Dr David Evans of the British Geological Survey said boreholes had been drilled between November 2008 and February 2009 to further the understanding of the area's geology, and a report had been submitted to Canatxx.

Coun Moon asked him if the new evidence would be accepted by the government minister who rejected the previous Canatxx plans.

Dr Evans replied: "We have a lot of data that would answer her questions."

Coun Ramesh Gandhi said: "You say you are still investigating and this is not finished. This is inadequate."

Canatxx opponent Mark Singleton of Mill Street, Preesall, said he objected to the proposals because of the dangers posed to Fleetwood Charity School and St Aidan's High School.

He claimed Canatxx had not taken a fault line on Preesall Hill into account in its geological studies.

Mr Singleton said he feared migrating gas at Preesall Hill could lead to fatalities among the school children at both rural schools.

Coun David Williams said there was no guarantee of safety.

Coun Mike Sanderson said: "Accidents do happen. There was a recent incident involving a pipeline in Moscow, and remember Abbeystead - hailed at the time as a marvel of modern engineering."

Couns Ron Shewan and Marlene Colby said they were concerned about the unstable geology of the Preesall area.

Coun Frank Turner wondered if Canatxx was trying to invest in the area because of the tougher restrictions on similar developments near residential areas in the USA.

Following a unanimous vote to urge County Hall to reject the plans, committee vice chairman Coun David Sharples of Catterall said the vote was "a victory for people power."

County Hall is thought likely to make up its mind on the Canatxx proposal this summer. If the plans are rejected Canatxx is likely to appeal, prompting another major public inquiry.

+ The Courier has approached Canatxx about the findings of its latest geological tests.

+ For background see www.canatxxpreesall.co.uk and www.pwgroup.org.uk