Quinn appeals to Hazel Blears over enforcement notice

In April this year, Chester West and Cheshire council was directed by the High Court to serve an enforcement notice in respect of the Elton factory, which is one of the biggest consumers of recovered cullet in the UK, because it was built without full planning permission (see letsrecycle.com story).

The Irish-owned company's appeal against the notice has been lodged with the planning inspectorate within the department for communities and local government, which is headed up by Hazel Blears.

The enforcement notice was set to take effect tomorrow (May 29) and required Quinn to cease production at the factory within 9 months, demolish unauthorised buildings within 18 months and restore the site to its original condition within 24 months (see letsrecycle.com story).

Quinn Glass' main ground for appeal is that Cheshire West and Chester council should be allowed to determine its retrospective planning application for the facility, which was submitted to the council in January 2008.

The company believes that, if that application is successful, it would render the court's involvement “unnecessary”.

Peter Fitzgerald, director from Quinn Glass said: “This is just the next step in our fight to win the long-term security of our site in Elton. Quinn Glass plays an important role both within the community and the region – we employ over 700 people from the area and boost the local economy with £4 million in taxes alone – so securing the future of the plant is our utmost priority.”

At present, Cheshire West and Chester is considering Quinn's planning application and Quinn hopes that the council will determine the planning application within the next two months.