A PUBLIC meeting was well-attended last night (August 9) as residents from across the county shared their views on the proposal for two pyrolysis waste plants to be introduced north of Carlisle.

Pyrolysis involves the process of converting waste plastics to fuel oil, instead of being placed in landfill.

The potential development, which is very much in the early stages, looks to expand the use of one 2,033 sq ft warehouse on the Rockcliffe Industrial Estate, the site of a large-scale blaze in November 2021.

The meeting was led by the Rockcliffe and District Action Group, as they put forward questions at the heart of the issue.

Around 200 people attended the meeting including councillors Helen Davison and Trevor Allison.

Sally Tears of the Rockcliffe and District Action Group said: "What a turnout it was, it was everything we wanted it to be, calm, representational and full of phenomenal questions.

"It really shows the depth of feeling on this matter," she said. 

READ MORE: Rockcliffe Industrial Estate warehouse in Carlisle to be dismantled after fire

Questions being fielded on the evening raised issues as to who are the companies behind the proposals; the safety records they hold; who will monitor noise pollution; as well as questioning as to why 'answers have not been given' in relation to the fire at the North Waste Recycling site.

The meeting was introduced with a statement from the action group which read: "We have been bitterly disappointed by the lack of response from many of the agencies we approached.

"Environmental Health, Public Health, planning department and several councillors have not even acknowledged receipt of the invitation.

"At the very least, it is ill-mannered and disrespectful to the community they purport to serve.

"It appears agencies are reluctant to commit to supporting their communities. They will be presented with these questions, and we will pursue the answers."

The campaigning group have stated how they don't want to be forced to be 'guinea pigs' for systems that 'produce more carbon emissions' than they save. 

Liberal Democrat councillor Tim Pickstone, who represents Rockcliffe on the new Cumberland Council, said: "Rockcliffe and the surrounding areas already have more than their fair share of waste and recycling facilities, with more plants and an incinerator due to come on-stream soon.

"Residents are understandably concerned about emissions, traffic and the environmental impact of yet more facilities.

"I’d rather find ways of reducing how much waste we produce, rather than having to build industrial facilities to process yet more waste."

READ MORE: Controversy as consultation begins for proposed 'pyrolysis' plants north of the city

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