Underground Storage approved - But not above-ground

Underground Storage approved - But not above-ground

Development Regulatory Committee followed HSE advice to agree consent for underground storage, but rejected approval for above ground storage or processing at Byley old Airfield and Drakelow Lane. So Scottish Power still can't build their gas plant! They have no permission for the massive pumps, pipes, buildings that they'd need.

RAP DONATES CASE AGAINST THE GAS PLANT TO HOLMES CHAPEL LIBRARY

RAP DONATES CASE AGAINST THE GAS PLANT TO HOLMES CHAPEL LIBRARY

In line with RAP's policy of openness in spreading the case against Scottish Power's gas plant, RAP has donated to Holmes Chapel library, a copy of the full technical case that helped persuade Cheshire County to throw out Scottish Power's planning application.

This fully-illustrated and comprehensively referenced document is now available for anyone to read. Said RAP research specialist David Ord, who wrote the document: "Throughout our campaign we've particularly stressed the importance of making no claims that we can't back up with evidence from published sources, and we want the public to see how carefully we've done this in our case against the gas plant."

John Halstead, RAP's Chairman added: "In their response to Cheshire County Council's 'NO', I see that Scottish Power are still making the ludicrous claim that there is a national need for the gas plant. I suppose this their equivalent of a conditioned reflex, like blinking in the face of danger! So can I point out that our document totally annihilates any claim that the UK needs the gas plant." David Ord concluded: "If you want to see the truth about the gas plant, it's now in Holmes Chapel Library." Dr John Edwards, Press and Media Officer

Cheshire says NO GAS PLANT!

Cheshire says NO GAS PLANT!

Following the rejection of Scottish Power's gas-plant planning application at yesterday's meeting of Cheshire County Council's 'Development Regulatory Committee', RAP Chairman John Halsted commented: "We're delighted with the convincing demonstration by Councillors, that an impartial review of Scottish Power's plans proves there's just no case for this ugly, polluting, and un-necessary project; and we unstintingly praise the County Council for its response to public opinion, and for the impressive fairness and thoroughness of all its proceedings in this matter."

Dr Jaime Atherton, retired GP and RAP Committee member, added: "This is excellent news for the many tens of thousands of people who are in serious fear of the danger and pollution from the gas plant, and we hope that Scottish Power will now have the sense to cut their losses and abandon this wretched business." John Halsted concluded: "But here's a warning for Scottish Power in case they try to appeal against the County Council's decision. RAP is already planning the campaign to fight your appeal. We are talking to sponsors and backers, we are formalising our support into a mass membership, and - we are preparing some interesting surprises for Scottish Power if need be! We're here for keeps. We're not going away. We're going to win." Dr John Edwards, Press and Media Officer

Scottish Power's Planning Application REJECTED

Scottish Power's Planning Application REJECTED

Cheshire County Council's Development Regulatory Committee, throw out the Gas Plant planning application because: "The scale and extent of the proposed development would be inappropriate within the open countryside" The Councillors thereby showed that they care about the environment, they care about safety, and they are in tune with the electors wishes.

Adrian Lea -Fails to reject Scottish Power's gas plant

Fails to reject Scottish Power's gas plant

Responding to the report supporting Scottish Power's Byley gas plant, by County Council Planning Officer Adrian Lea, RAP Chairman John Halstead said: "This isn't approval: just Adrian Lea's recommendation to Councillors who will make the actual decision on October 23rd, but we're amazed that Mr Lea is unmoved by so much evidence that the gas plant is risky, polluting, ugly, and above all - absolutely unnecessary." David Ord, RAP technical specialist added: "Adrian Lea's decision not to reject Scottish Power's proposals goes against our comprehensively researched evidence. However his decision is based on planning technicalities and does not consider aspects such as safety or the wishes of the entire local community, as shown by an enormous number (over 9,000 and growing) of protest letters to Councillors. There is no other local matter that has caused such widespread fear, and it's deeply disturbing that the views of so many electors can be set aside by a planning officer" John Halstead concluded: "Now we look to the County Councillors, who will certainly be responsive to public opinion, and who have looked carefully at our evidence, to ignore Mr Lea's report, and to reject a proposal that is designed purely to make money for Scottish Power, bringing no worthwhile benefit to the UK in general, nor Cheshire in particular." Dr John Edwards, Press and Media Officer

COME AND KILL THE GAS PLANT !

COME AND KILL THE GAS PLANT !

Fresh from battering Scottish Power with a dazzling presentation to Cheshire County Council's 'Development Regulatory Committee', on October 16th, RAP appealed to supporters to turn out in big numbers, on Tuesday 23rd October at County Hall Chester at 10 am. Said Rap Chairman, John Halstead: "One more heave from the public, please, to back over 9,000 protest letters! Please be there with banners and placards, at County Hall when the Council decide on Scottish Power's proposals.

We need you for about an hour, from 10 am, to give good shots for the press and TV cameras, showing the whole country how much we oppose the gas plant." Halstead stressed that RAP hope the County will oppose the gas plant, but if Scottish Power appeal against the decision, then RAP is ready and willing for the long haul, completely un-deterred by the costs of being represented at a public enquiry.

Press Spokesman Dr John Edwards, added: "We shall fight to the end, so we're already drawing up plans to raise money, including approaches to major potential donors sympathetic to our cause. We've proved we can win a complex technical argument, and now we shall turn those same organisational skills to fund-raising." Scottish Power take heed - RAP is not going away. Dr John Edwards, Press and Media Officer

RAP TO FIGHT FOR 10 LOCAL COUNCILS

Representatives of 10 Town and Parish Councils packed a meeting last night at Cranage Village Hall, to endorse RAP as their spokesman to present the case against the Byley Gas plant, to Cheshire County Council's Development Regulatory Committee on 16th October at County Hall. After an address by John Halstead, RAP Chairman, expressing his thanks for the support from so many Councils, John Oakley, one of RAP's technical specialists, gave the presentation that will be given on October 16th. Frank Walton, Clerk of Cranage Parish Council commented: "We were all deeply impressed. This is a 'killer' case against the gas plant, and the best thing is that it's all based on technical detail, and carefully reasoned argument"

Latest information from Cheshire County Council, is that a total of 8 people, from RAP and the local Councils, may attend the Development Regulatory Committee, facing 8 from Scottish Power/Ineos Chlor. John Edwards, RAP's press spokesman, added, "We're not arrogant, because we know that the County Council will judge this case on the facts, but frankly we're deeply unimpressed with what we've seen of Scottish Power's arguments so far, and we're really looking forward to October 16th." The full list of Councils who have chosen RAP as their Champion is: Allostock Parish Council Byley Parish Meeting Cranage Parish Council, Goostrey Parish Council Holmes Chapel Parish Council Knutsford Town Council Middlewich Town Council Sandbach Town Council Somerford Parish Council Sproston Parish Council John Edwards & Frank Walton Tel:

MORE SPIN FROM THE TWINS (the gas plant twins!)

MORE SPIN FROM THE TWINS

Fresh from their backfired attempt to get their own employees to write "impartial" letters supporting the Byley gas plant, the "Gas Plant Twins" have tried again. This time Scottish Power has written to local companies seeking support for the Byley gas plant, on the basis of pie-in-the-sky "promises" of juicy contracts if the project goes ahead. Scottish Power's letter dangles the bait that their policy is to use "local labour and contractors wherever possible" a nice get-out clause, since a massive contract to build the gas plant's three giant compressors has just been awarded to the US company General Electric - about as far from "local labour" as could possibly be.

RAP Chairman John Halstead commented: "Scottish Power ran a 'business forum' attracting local companies looking for contracts, and got them to register their names so they can be used as cannon-fodder, expected to write to County Hall in support of the gas plant! It's typical spin, since the fact is that all the big business will go to specialist contractors way beyond Cheshire." Meanwhile the latest count of genuine letters protesting against the gas plant has topped 8,000 reflecting the will of a community united in opposition to Scottish Power's proposals. Dr John Edwards, Press and Media Officer

Dodgy going on in the cheshire gas plant plan

HEADLESS CHICKEN SHOOTS ITSELF IN FOOT

Scottish Power and its partner Ineos Chlor - "The Gas Plant Twins" - are so frightened by the massive flood of letters from the public, sent to Cheshire County Council opposing the planned Byley gas plant, that Ineos Chlor has shot itself in the foot by attempting to lever its employees into sending letters supporting the gas plant, and sending them from their home addresses as if they were impartial, rather than employees whose company would profit vastly from the gas plant.

An e-mail from Ineos Chlor to all North West employees, gives a standard letter, plus the technical refinement of a button to be "clicked" by employees enabling Ineos Chlor to know precisely who's been good and sent the letter - and who's been bad and not sent it! Said RAP member Dr Jamie Atherton, a retired local GP: "This is typical of the murky spin we've come to expect from the Gas Plant Twins. They're frightened now and they should be! RAP is regularly delivering 'no gas plant' letters to County Hall to save the cost of postage, and on one day alone: Tuesday 25th September, we took nearly 1,200 letters, with more arriving every day, and that's on top of the 5,000 already sent, and every one of them genuinely from worried members of the public." RAP Chairman, John Halstead added: "It's pretty dim to ask employees to send a standard letter. It was bound to get found out, and it has been found out, and it's further evidence of the ineptitude of Scottish Power and Ineos Chlor. And these are the people asking us to trust their competence to run a dangerous technology that's never before been placed among centres of population!" Dr John Edwards, Press and Media Officer

NO GAS PLANT! THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF GAS!

NO GAS PLANT! THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF GAS!

Cranage Conference Centre 7.30 pm Friday 14th September

Before opening RAP's biggest-ever meeting, in the state-of-the-art Cranage Conference Centre, RAP Chairman John Halstead, called for a minute's silence in respect of the dead in New York and Washington, following September 11th's terrorist outrages. John asked a packed meeting to remember too, that Byley Airfield - proposed site of Scottish Power's gas plant - was once an air base manned by young American servicemen, some of whom died defending our country.

John then reminded the audience of two key dates: September 16th when the Development Planning Committee of Cheshire County Council will receive a presentation against the gas plant, from RAP, and September 23rd when the Council will decide on Scottish Power's planning application. John stressed the unique and far-sighted nature of the Council's decision to hear RAP's case, as an example of local democracy in action.

Later John Oakley, a highly-qualified engineer, and one of RAP's team of technical experts, presented an outline of the case against the gas plant, in a high-tech, brilliantly-illustrated lecture based on computer graphics. The biggest surprise of the evening was that the gas plant is not even needed, as there is no national shortage of gas. Next - and to considerable laughter - Dr John Edwards, RAP's Press and Media Spokesman, joked about the clumsy inefficiency of Scottish Power's PR campaign, promising that RAP will do to Scottish Power, what David did to Goliath. He urged the audience to continue the vital work of writing to County Councillors, and still more important, to turn out in massive numbers for a responsible, dignified protest outside County Hall Chester on September 23rd.

After a lively question and answer session, the meeting closed to loud applause and a fixed determination to stop the gas plant. Dr John Edwards, Press and Media Officer

Biggest Meeting Yet Against the Cheshire Gas Plant:

Cranage Conference Centre 7.30 pm Friday 14th September

RAP is inviting MPs, local councillors, other VIPs, and representatives of the Emergency services to attend a major protest meeting against Scottish Power's gas plant. Thousands of leaflets will be delivered to homes in Knutsford, Congleton, Goostrey, Holmes Chapel, Northwich, Middlewich, Winsford and Byley and elsewhere, to ensure the biggest turnout yet of people dedicated to stopping a project which has roused a unique level of anger and opposition. John Halstead, Chairman of RAP commented: "Cranage Conference Centre have made available their biggest hall and we confidently expect to fill it, as we have previously filled every hall where a gas plant protest has been held. Indeed, our only fear is that we might not get everybody in. But we're pulling out all the stops on this one, and we expect a lively meeting!"

The aim of the meeting is to brief the public on latest events, including Scottish Power's clumsy attempt to win support from local businesses by dangling the possibility of lucrative contracts - a transparently obvious piece of spin since gas plant contracts would go mainly to specialist suppliers outside Cheshire or the UK. This contrasts with Cheshire County Council's excellent decision to allow RAP to present its case direct to them (a meeting currently scheduled for October 16th). Finally, the meeting aims to prepare for an even bigger turnout of protestors outside County Hall on October 23rd, when the Council make their decision on Scottish Power's planning application. Dr John Edwards, Press and Media Officer

There's No Such thing as "SAFE" Three Deaths at Enron's Teeside Power Station

There's No Such thing as "SAFE" Three Deaths at Enron's Teeside Power Station

Three tragic deaths followed a shattering explosion at the gas-turbine-drivenTeeside Power station on August 8, despite the fact that this is a state-of-the-art plant working to best HSE standards, and given the Gold Award for Occupational Health and Safety by the Royal Society for the Prevention of accidents.

Tim Underdown, chief executive of Enron, the American owners of the plant, could give no explanation for the cause of the explosion, though detailed studies are underway, by Enron itself, as well as by HSE the Police and the Fire service. The fact is that there is no such thing as 100% safety where industrial plants are concerned, even when they are operated by top-class companies doing their utmost to eliminate risk, under conditions reviewed by statutory bodies. The lesson is obvious regarding Scottish Power's plans to build a gas plant at Byley in Cheshire, featuring gas-turbine-driven compressors - and that is to stop the gas plant before the accidents can happen. Dr John Edwards, Press and Media Officer

Deaths and Injuries at Buchan's if Gas Plant Blows

Deaths and Injuries at Buchan's if Gas Plant Blows

Neither Manweb's owner, Scottish Power, nor the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have bothered to inform the 150 staff at Buchan's Concrete works, King's Lane, Byley that their lives are at risk if Scottish Power's planned Gas Plant blows up. Some 5% of Buchan's staff could be killed, according to an HSE report prepared following planning applications put in by Scottish Power. Using standardised techniques including computer simulations, HSE have assessed various risk scenarios for the Gas Processing Plant at Byley including a major explosion - which HSE predict would kill 50% of all employees on the processing site and 1-5% of personnel at Buchan's works with further severe injuries and collateral damage.

It may come as news to Buchan's staff that a major multi-national company plans to put a possible disaster right next door, and that the risk of their deaths has been calmly calculated by a Government-appointed body without mentioning it to them. Is this the price to be paid by a rural community for the benefit of Scottish Power's shareholders? Perhaps not as both Congleton and Vale Royal Borough Councils have formally advised Cheshire County Council to say "no" to the planning applications when a decision is made on September 11th or later. Dr John Edwards, Press and Media Officer,

The Cheshire Gas Plant: it doesn't smell good

The Gas Plant: it doesn't smell good

If something smells bad in central Cheshire, it's Scottish Power's plan to sink nine high-pressure, underground gas stores - each the size of St Paul's Cathedral - right in the middle of a circle ringed by Knutsford, Northwich, Winsford, Middlewich and Holmes Chapel, using technology never before applied on this scale near major population centres.

Scottish Power themselves admit that the technology is too dangerous to be sited "near people" and are still trying to explain the catastrophic failure of their coal-fired Utah-based Hunter Power Station in the USA, which was out of action for over 6 months at a cost of $700,000 per day. Meanwhile, the Gas Plant scheme is based around a major industrial complex planned for Byley old airfield, using three thundering, jet-engine driven compressors that would cram gas underground at high speed: a 24 hour operation generating noise and air-polluting nitrogen oxides, while any substantial failure at the well heads sitting on top of the gas stores, could generate flames blasting hundreds of feet into the air. Scottish Power's claim that all this is in the national interest has been exploded by two key facts, first another admission that they will sell gas to the highest bidder, which could be overseas, and second by the fact that the whole risky project with all its potential for damage to the environment, would add no more than a ludicrous 3.5% to the national gas reserve. The sole and entire reason for this 70million venture, is to enable Scottish Power to buy gas when it is cheap - at weekends- and sell it when it is dear, during the week, bringing vast profit to Scottish Power. In fact the deal looks like this: Scottish Power gets the profit, another country gets the gas, and Cheshire gets the risk. Dr John Edwards, Press and Media Officer

Vale Royal & Congleton Borough Councils Oppose Gas Plant

Following applications for a gas processing plant at Byley Airfield, Vale Royal and Congleton Borough Councils both said "no" confirming local feeling against this unwanted project. The decision now passes to Cheshire County Council

Death-Blow to Gas Plant Claims? RAP has arrived

A detailed technical presentation by John Oakley, a highly-qualified engineer, has dealt a death-blow to Scottish Power's central claim that their Gas Plant is needed to secure national reserves of gas. Quoting strictly from published figures John showed that the Gas Plant will contribute only a miserable 3.5% to the national reserve of stored gas, a laughably-small compensation for the risk, pollution and environmental threat posed by this massive and untried industrial venture. John was speaking at the 12th July, Cranage Village Hall launch of "RAP" (Residents Against the Plant). Welcoming the growing band of volunteers, RAP Chairman John Halstead announced that Vale Royal and Congleton Borough Councils have now rejected Scottish Power planning applications and are recommending Cheshire County Council to do likewise. He added: "Thanks for your efforts so far, especially the vital work of writing to Councillors to make sure they know that the entire local community opposes this wretched proposal that threatens our homes and our safety. Now we must step up our careful, measured opposition, presenting a case backed by facts that will overturn Scottish Power's claims."

Later, John Oakley - a champion whom Scottish Power have come to fear - went on to show that the only justification for the huge power of the thundering, jet-engine powered compressors that would cram gas into Scottish Power's underground caverns, is to enable Scottish Power to buy gas at the weekend when it is cheap, and sell it in the week when it is dear, making enormous profit for Scottish Power - profit which is the sole, entire and only reason for the Gas Plant.

In closing the RAP meeting, Chairman John Halsted thanked John Oakley and commented: "Everyone should see your deeply-impressive presentation, especially those at Cheshire County Council who have the next decision on the Gas Plant!" Dr John Edwards, Press and Media Officer,

Death-Blow to Gas Plant Claims? RAP has arrived

Death-Blow to Gas Plant Claims? RAP has arrived

A detailed technical presentation by John Oakley, a highly-qualified engineer, has dealt a death-blow to Scottish Power's central claim that their Gas Plant is needed to secure national reserves of gas. Quoting strictly from published figures John showed that the Gas Plant will contribute only a miserable 3.5% to the national reserve of stored gas, a laughably-small compensation for the risk, pollution and environmental threat posed by this massive and untried industrial venture. John was speaking at the 12th July, Cranage Village Hall launch of "RAP" (Residents Against the Plant).

Welcoming the growing band of volunteers, RAP Chairman John Halstead announced that Vale Royal and Congleton Borough Councils have now rejected Scottish Power planning applications and are recommending Cheshire County Council to do likewise. He added: "Thanks for your efforts so far, especially the vital work of writing to Councilors to make sure they know that the entire local community opposes this wretched proposal that threatens our homes and our safety.

Now we must step up our careful, measured opposition, presenting a case backed by facts that will overturn Scottish Power's claims." Later, John Oakley - a champion whom Scottish Power have come to fear - went on to show that the only justification for the huge power of the thundering, jet-engine powered compressors that would cram gas into Scottish Power's underground caverns, is to enable Scottish Power to buy gas at the weekend when it is cheap, and sell it in the week when it is dear, making enormous profit for Scottish Power - profit which is the sole, entire and only reason for the Gas Plant. In closing the RAP meeting, Chairman John Halsted thanked John Oakley and commented: "Everyone should see your deeply-impressive presentation, especially those at Cheshire County Council who have the next decision on the Gas Plant!"

Vale Royal Throws out Gas Plant Application

Vale Royal Throws out Gas Plant Application

In an near-unanimous decision at its meeting on Tuesday 10th July, Vale Royal Borough Council's Planning Committee rejected Scottish Power's controversial application to set up a Gas Plant. This follows a deluge of letters opposing the plant, and a demonstration of more than a hundred people of all ages outside the entrance to Byley Airfield which Scottish Power would like to turn into an industrial site.

John Halstead of RAP (Residents Against Plant) commented: "This is excellent news, especially taken with the rejection Scottish Power received from Congleton Borough Council. It proves that balanced consideration of the facts by local Councilors shows up the Gas Plant as risky and unwanted. But we must stay on guard, as Scottish Power may push this matter to the County Council and beyond. We can stop this wretched plant, but only if we're ready to fight!"

Misleading Claims from Scottish Power Scottish

Misleading Claims from Scottish Power Scottish

Power is misleading and premature in claiming a boost for their Gas Plant plans from the Health and Safety Executive and the Environment Agency. Both bodies have given only an "in principle" nod and now demand formal applications for rigorous examination in a process lasting months and including full opportunity for the public to make objections.

Meanwhile Scottish Power grows daily more pessimistic of getting approval at Borough or County level, noting the opposition of Congleton Borough Council's Planning Committee who are recommending the County Council to reject the Gas Plant, reflecting the united opposition of a local community seriously worried about the risks of pollution and major accidents. Even Fred Attwater, Scottish Power's Project Manager, has admitted that the Gas Plant is too dangerous to be sited "near people in towns" and at Hutchinson in Kansas, gas escaping from and underground salt cavern - exactly similar to those proposed by Scottish Power - has caused a serious explosion.

As Mr Attwater has confirmed that gas could be sold overseas, the deal sounds like this: Scottish Power gets the profit, some other country gets the gas, and Cheshire gets the risk.

Risks & Dangers of a Gas plant in cheshire

On 14/6/01 at a public meeting in Goostrey Village Hall,

Fred Attwater Scottish Power's Project Manager for the Gas Plant, asked why the gas-turbine plant should be put in open countryside, and not an industrial estate blurted out the following:

" it's too dangerous to be put near people."

This honest comment, regretted ever since by Scottish Power, but heard by too many people to be denied, is the best summary of the risks and dangers of the Gas Plant.

The Health and Safety Executive have said they have "no objections" to the gas plant, but that merely means that any accidents would kill no more than a certain number of people - it does not mean the plant would be "safe".

For instance: HSE calculate that an explosion at one of the well heads over the Gas Plant's underground cavities would produce a fireball 217 metres across, killing 50% of people within 300 metres of the explosion.

The Gas Plant would also be an attractive target for TERRORIST ATTACK, being highly visible, brightly lit at night, and guarded only by a few staff responsible for a vast plant spread over a wide area.