SIR: I refer to the letter by Bill Collison (BEN, March 6).

In reply to the above, I would like to make it clear that the residents of Springfield Road have not asked Mr Collison to do anything. May I point out that in 1996 company on the Lyon Industrial Estate erected, without planning permission: three chimneys; a lO-metre-high metal stack; a steel supporting structure for an expansion tank and a fuel storage tank

After some time, with the help of our local councillors Mrs Keating, Mrs Spencer and Mr Burrows, planning permission was applied for, but was turned down. The company in question then sent an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate in Bristol, who, on November, 18,1997, overruled Bolton Council and granted planning permission.

We, the immediate residents, sent in a petition, accompanied by photographs, to the Inspectorate in Bristol and the Health and Safety and Environment Departments in Bolton.

During a meeting on February 13,1998, a schedule of work, culminating in the prohibition of malodorous emissions, was agreed with this company and incorporated into an abatement notice. The Environment Department continues to monitor emissions on a regular weekly basis.

With regards to the water tank on Manchester Road, unbelievably, the same company has erected this, again without planning permission. Planning permission was applied for eventually, but Bolton Council also turned this down. Again the company has appealed, and to date there has been no decision.

As you can see, there are residents and councillors who are willing to work, quietly, and in a businesslike manner, for the benefit of all Kearsley residents.

I write, for and on behalf of the residents of Kearsley.

R Wardley

Springfield Road, Kearsley

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