Appeals
Viridor is appealing against the Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) Planning Committee decision to reject the proposed Ardley incinerator. The story is covered by The Herald and The Oxford Mail. Ardley Against the Incinerator is a group of dedicated and extremely concerned local residents, parents and businesses who are fighting plans to build a waste incinerator at Ardley Quarry, Oxfordshire.
Ardley Against the Incinerator chairman Jonathan O’Neill is quoted as saying:
We knew this was going to happen. We now need to wait for the appeal inspector to say what the appeal process is going to be, if they are going to have a hearing or take written submissions. We know people worked exceptionally hard in round one and we are going to be asking people to work exceptionally hard in round two. Just because they are appealing, we are not going to roll over.
Ardley with Fewcott Parish Council chairman Brian Steventon said:
Clearly, we shall be making representations, but how that will be handled will depend entirely on the inspector. This will be round two of the battle.
There is no news yet from WRG about whether or not they intend to appeal the Sutton Courtenay decision, but WRG have not withdrawn their Environmental Permit. Local campaigners Sutton Courtenay Against the Incinerator (SCAI) remain vigilant. SCAI continues with preparations to counter an appeal.
Environmental Permit
SCAI remains heavily involved in opposing WRG’s environmental permit application on a wide range of grounds, from air quality to flood risks.
For instance WRG have yet to provide an effective drainage scheme for their proposal, which is a requirement for both the incinerator proposal and an earlier extension of the landfill site to 2030, which the Planning Committee had approved 18 months ago, in July 2008.
Scrutiny
OCC has a number of scrutiny committees which can review and challenge decisions made by the Council. Members of these committees can also act on the behalf of local people in trying to influence council policies.
Local campiagners have formally requested the Growth and Infrastructure Scrutiny Committee review the processes and procedures adopted by the Council in the execution of its waste disposal plans and the alternatives now available. The Committee will be considering the request at its meeting on 18 February 2010.
1Rob Whittle, NAIL2 on Jan 7, 2010 at 6:01 am:
Oxford County Council should follow Surrey County Councils (Dr Andrew Povey’s)position; Scrap technology neutrality and incineration as EfW/CHP; call in the 2 unsustainable incinerator (WRG/Viridor) bids.
Look at more layers Recycling investment, Anaerobic Digestion, Plasma Gasification and other technologies.
When companies like WRG and Viridor start dictating how waste is treated, all for profit and share price; against the wishes of local people, the public and now council planning and elected councillors; this is an abusive problem and relationship. You haven’t got people onboard long term.
Come-on Viridor/WRG..where are your Zero Waste resource centres, anaerobic digesters and future plasma gasifiers? 2xRoCs quality technology only please! Change your waste/EfW model to a sustainable resource and energy gas direction. Quit burning/skyfilling 40-50% of stuff.