The Problem

For years, residents of Ellesmere Port have been exposed to significant chemical pollution from Stanlow — including VOCs, benzene, NMVOCs, sulphur compounds, metals, particulates and combustion by‑products from flaring and routine operations.

Authorities repeatedly reassure us that “everything is fine”, yet no independent system exists that measures or verifies what residents are actually breathing.

The current monitoring is inadequate, not independent, and does not cover the full range of chemical pollution known to be harmful to public health.

 

The Evidence
Official Pollution Inventory data shows that in 2024 alone, Stanlow released:

• 2.4 million kg of VOCs
• 31.8 tonnes of benzene
• 3,076 tonnes of NOx
• nearly 2 tonnes of nickel (a carcinogen)
• FOI disclosures from the Environment Agency confirm:

they cannot quantify local exposure
they do not hold raw monitoring data for key refinery pollutants
they have no independent air‑quality measurements for VOCs or benzene
If the regulator cannot quantify exposure, no authority can claim the community is safe.

 

The Law
Cheshire West & Chester Council has clear statutory duties under:

• Environmental Protection Act 1990 (investigate harmful emissions and statutory nuisances)
• Public Health Acts 1936 & 1984 (act where conditions may be injurious to health)
• Environment Act 1995, Section 18 (take steps where air pollution is causing harm or risk)

These laws require the Council to investigate all harmful emissions, not just odours or a narrow set of pollutants.

 

 

What We Are Demanding
Those of us who sign the petition, call on Cheshire West & Chester Council to immediately fulfil their statutory obligations by delivering:

1. A full investigation into the cumulative public‑health impacts
Covering all pollutants residents have been exposed to over many years.

2. Continuous, independent, real‑time air‑quality monitoring
Measuring the full range of refinery‑related chemicals, not a limited subset.

3. Independent verification of all chemical pollution
Not industry self‑reporting.

4. Full disclosure of chemicals released during flaring and routine operations
Including quantities, duration, and health implications covering both short term and long term exposure

5. Proper public involvement
Residents must help design the monitoring and investigation plans.

 
Residents deserve facts, not reassurances
We will no longer accept:

reassurances without evidence
modelling instead of measurement
self‑reporting instead of independent monitoring
minimisation of long‑term chemical exposure
We call on the Council to act now — transparently, lawfully, and in the interests of public health.