VOLCLAY, Seacombe, plans extensions to its crude clay warehouses, following permission from the planning authority, Merseyside Development Corporation, despite a pending legal battle with people living in the area.

The additional space will be used primarily for storage of dried clay to enable the company to expand its range of animal litter products.

The warehouse extension will cover a triangular open area between the existing warehouses and Birkenhead Road. On the opposite side of Birkenhead Road there is housing. A petition of 700 signatures objecting to the plan had been sent to MDC claiming Volclay 'has long polluted the neighbourhood'.

Board members, including Coun Dave Jackson who lives in the Seacombe area, are aware of the concerns of residents when planning permission was granted for an additional storage silo in 1996. Residents are currently involved in a legal dispute with Volclay over emissions.

The MDC board heard that comments of residents have already been referred to Wirral's Environmental Health Department. Although Volcay had been prosecuted for an incident earlier this year, this was blamed on incorrect of fitting of new equipment.

The recommendation to approve the planning application noted that the extension of the warehouse will bring the buildings closer to the houses on Birkenhead Road. On the positive side, it will remove views into what is presently an unsightly open storage area, says MDC.

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