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Protesters cheer council's decision to object to incinerator application
By Ashley Marshall
COUNCIL bosses formally objected to plans to build England’s first ever round-the-clock waste incinerator at Tockwith at a packed meeting attended by swarms of concerned residents last week.
A group of residents arrived on a specially-chartered coach to protest before the meeting, waving placards and signs and urging the council to support their bid to reject the scheme.
Harrogate Borough Council's planning committee listened to their concerns and said the proposed 18m plant at Marston Moor Business Park was unsuitable and agreed to send a strong objection to North Yorkshire County council as a statutory consultee.
The decision was greeted by cheers and a round of applause from the 145-strong group of residents who had gathered at Harrogate’s council offices, many of who had to listen from outside the full council chambers which was standing room only.
At the end of the 40-minute meeting, the committee decided to object to the scheme because of the adverse effect the plant would have on the residential amenity, based on an increase in noise, dust, traffic and smell and a decrease in air quality.
Coun John Savage, who represents Tockwith on both Harrogate Council and North Yorkshire County Council, told the meeting the energy-from-waste plant would produce the same amount of pollution as a 5km motorway running around the village next to 500 coal-burning houses.
Coun Savage said there were 19 more environmentally ways of dealing with waste and he said the waste incinerator could have a disastrous effect on the lives of residents living in the neighbouring villages.
He said: “This is the wrong kind of plant in the wrong kind of place. They are not going to be burning bin bags from Tockwith - they will be burning hazardous waste.
“It does not make sense for Tockwith, Harrogate or North Yorkshire.”
Coun Trevor Chapman said there were doubts about how energy produced would get into the national grid, and he voiced his concerns about the welfare of children who attended the primary school 1,200m from the outskirts of the plant.
The planning committee heard the plant would be located just 500m from Fairfax Crescent, the western edge of Tockwith, and around 600m from properties to the north and south.
Coun Andrew Goss said the plant would have a large impact on the village and be detrimental to the village.
Coun Galloway said putting the waste incinerator on the Marston Moor Business Park was “barmy”.
After the meeting Tockwith objector Clive Billenness expressed his delight at the outcome.
He said: “Getting energy from waste gives a very green impression, but on the other hand people think we have a nimby attitude when really we have a ‘not in anyone’s back yard’ feeling.
“The fact is we think that this sort of technology should not be used near anyone’s house.
“We are delighted that the councillors have listened to the project officer and we’re pleased that this is being looked at on a factual basis. We now hope and trust that North Yorkshire County Council will listen to the overwhelming views of the community.
“This is the wrong kind of industry in the wrong place, and Tockwith should not be the guinea pigs for this new technology.”
Tockwith Residents’ Association committee member Caroline Alliott said: “I am absolutely delighted to have the support of all the councillors.
“We had a very good turnout today and we are very grateful to the council for taking our view and voting unanimously.”
North Yorkshire County Council has received more than 700 objections from residents concerned about issues including noise, operating hours and traffic congestion.
BCB has, however, strongly defended its plans and has appealed to residents to end their opposition on several occasions.
It earlier said it would not be attending last week’s meeting because Harrogate Borough Council was a consultee rather than a decision-maker on its application.
The company has held a public meeting in Tockwith and three open evenings with company representatives answering questions in an effort to reassure residents.
BCB’s managing director, Phil Boardman maintains the innovative plant will produce enough electricity to power 10,000 homes.
He said recently in the Wetherby News: “This project has been fundamentally designed from the ground up to have no significant environmental impact.
“It is now going through the extremely rigorous planning process and the equally strict process for it to be granted an environmental permit.
"We are fully aware of the concerns expressed by some of Tockwith’s residents but believe it is now time to stop the war of words and allow this project to be scrutinised by the planning professionals."
ashley.marshall@ypn.co.uk
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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