Campaigners celebrate '˜victory'

More than 120 protesters lined Appley Lane North on Thursday as county councillors visited the proposed site ahead of crucial meetings next week.

Following the demonstration, members of Appley Bridge Community Against Greenbelt Erosion (Abcage) claim P-Fuel - the company behind the plans - has now withdrawn its application.

Wigan Today has been unable as yet to obtain independent verification from either County Hall or P-Fuel but protesters had already taken to social media on Friday to spread news of their victory.

Organiser Katie Juckes said she was “over the moon” and would be celebrating “along with the rest of Appley Bridge, Dalton and Shevington.”

P-Fuel has already received planning approval for a cooking oil to electric operation on the site which is yet to start. But a separate application was required for this waste plastics to fuel conversion which residents claim could pose a health risk.

Members of Lancashire’s development committee were greeted with chants of “this is not a test site, this is our home” as they reached the location on Thursday.

And dozens of households throughout the village had set up “No Toxic Chemical Plant” signs outside their homes.