A PRESSURE group fighting controversial plans to turn a disused quarry into a tip say their case has been strengthened with the closure of a site in Wales blamed for causing birth defects.

Rhondda Cynon Taff Council suspended waste disposal at the Nantygwyddon landfill site in South Wales last month following the intervention by the then president of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, David Purchon.

The site, which was opened in 1980, and used as a tip for domestic and industrial waste since 1995, was blamed by local people for a variety of health problems, including respiratory problems and birth defects, including a rare condition which causes intestines to appear outside the stomach. A study is being called for into the allegations. Tony Ingham, leading campaigner of Ramsbottom Against Landfill (RALF), fighting the tip plan at Fletcher Bank Quarry, at Shuttleworth, Ramsbottom, said: "This site is smaller though similar in nature than the one being planned for Ramsbottom. We have to stop it now and prevent similar problems."

Biffa Waste Services Ltd, who do not operate the Nantygwyddon site, have applied to turn part of the quarry in Manchester Road into a 15-year-tip for industrial, household and commercial waste. A decision on the application will be made on March 7.

RALF claim that a landfill site in Ramsbottom would lead to problems and goes against government policy concerning waste disposal.

The group's campaign centres on the impact the proposed tip would have on the environment in terms of the increase in traffic on the town's roads and the health risks posed by landfill sites.

A dossier of their objections, along with detailed research supporting their arguments, have been submitted to Bury Council's planning department.

Mr Ingham said: "We are pleased with the way we have organised the campaign. We feel that the best way was to use legal arguments. We will put these facts to the council on March 7."

He added: "We are distributing leaflets to people in Ramsbottom to support us on the day, particularly during the site visit to the quarry."