Date set for inquiry into Salford recycling plant

Sky Properties' appeal against Salford City Council's rejection of its £70m plan for the Green Lane Eco Park in Monton, Salford will be heard in May.

The public inquiry starts on 9 May and could take up to three weeks. A planning inspector will review the council's decision to turn down the application for the recycling and renewable energy centre.

Last June, councillors rejected the recommendation of the council's own officers to approve the planning applications for the site. The planning applications provide for three different types of waste recovery technology: materials recovery, anaerobic digestion and gasification.

Anthony Hirsch of Sky Properties said the plans have been revised. He explained: "We are still committed to investing in the site and working with the council, businesses and the local community. We back the Council's aspirations to regenerate the area, as the development will provide new jobs and visually enhance Green Lane. New jobs will be created and we have revised our proposals for the landscaping along Green Lane to ensure that the views for those using the Canal are appealing and create a point of interest reflective of the site's proud industrial heritage.

"I believe changes made are complementary to the Council's Bridgewater Master Plan, the aspirations for which I fully support.

"There is still an opportunity for Salford to benefit from proven technology delivering environmental and economic benefits, including 60 jobs. The council officers were satisfied that all technical questions have been answered and that our plans matched government policy and met all relevant guidelines."

In 2006, the council rejected applications for housing on the same site by a company controlled by Hirsch, which, on appeal to the then Secretary of State, Hazel Blears, was refused as being inappropriate as the site should be safe-guarded for employment.