Archive for the People Against incineration (PAIN) Category
Wildlife fears over incinerator plans
I am so busy with the inquiry and sorting through the information released by Nottinghamshire County Council following last week’s High Court decision (see “People power” victory and Revealed: What Veolia wanted to keep secret and the Nottingham Evening Post editorial: Ruling upholds our democratic right that I am breaking with tradition and reprinting an article from another website:
Wildlife fears over incinerator plans
Published Date: 06 October 2009
By Helen LambourneCONTROVERSIAL plans to build a waste incinerator in Rainworth could be halted if the site is made a protection area for nightjars and woodlarks, it has emerged. A public inquiry into proposals by Veolia Environmental Services for the incinerator at the former Rufford Colliery got under way yesterday, held by Government-appointed inspector Rupert Grantham.
But immediately, a three-month adjournment on the ecological issues due to be considered was called for by Veolia –– saying it was seeking information from Natural England about whether the site might be designated a Special Protection Area (SPA).
The move could lead the inspector to put the whole inquiry on hold after it emerged the status could be a ’showstopper’ for plans to build the incinerator on that site.
Paul Brown, representing Nottinghamshire County Council, told the inquiry the authority could change its support for the incinerator if the site was made an SPA.
He said: “If it transpires the SPA is a showstopper, everything we do in the next two or three weeks could be a complete waste of time.
“It would be a very difficult hurdle to overcome. The county council would have to review its position.”Rhodri Price Lewis, for Veolia, said the company had been trying to gain answers from Natural England about whether the SPA was being considered for the last three weeks, but had got no answer.
But he said the public body had no remaining objections to the incinerator plans.
Janice Bradley, of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, said the organisation had raised concerns about the impact of the incinerator on nightjars for a long time.
She said a recent ruling had found an area should be treated as a potential SPA if data about the birds there would qualify it — even if Natural England had not classified it as such.
Shlomo Dowen, from campaign group People Against Incineration (PAIN), said he had spoken to a representative from Natural England yesterday.
He told the inspector: “The first thing that was made clear was that you as inspector have the authority and should you decide that the site could qualify as an SPA, then Natural England would of course object to the application.”
Mr Grantham adjourned the inquiry yesterday until tomorrow (Thursday) morning while the parties try to gain the written views of Natural England.
He will then decide whether some or all of the hearing should be adjourned for three months.
Well, if you thought that the Summer of 2009 was gonna be a chance for waste campaigners to relax, think again…
This UKWIN Update attempts to bring together just some of what has been happening since our previous update. Inevitably I will miss some important items, so please feel invited to add more information of interest by leaving a comment on the UKWIN website (below).
Global Day of Action
UKWIN is joining forces with campaigners around the globe who are organising a Global day of Action Against Incineration. For more details please contact Neil.
Cheshire
The government has approved plans to build a 95MW incinerator in Cheshire which is set to burn 600,000 tonnes of refuse-derived fuel a year. The decision is obviously a disappointment for all those who campaigned hard to prevent this permission from being granted. Due to the current economic climate, and to the lack of local authority contracts, the facility, although approved, may never be built. Watch this (sad) space…
Links:
http://www.letsrecycle.com/do/ecco.py/view_item?listid=37&listcatid=217&listitemid=53154
and
http://www.runcornandwidnesweeklynews.co.uk/runcorn-widnes-news/runcorn-widnes-local-news/2009/08/20/mike-hall-mp-slams-ince-marshes-incinerator-plan-go-ahead-because-of-existing-ineoschlor-runcorn-plans-55368-24490218/
and
http://www.crewechronicle.co.uk/crewe-news/local-crewe-news/2009/08/19/middlewich-incinerator-protestors-demand-council-bosses-reject-plans-96135-24472513/
Veolia High Court
Veolia have taken legal action against their waste partner Nottinghamshire County Council. The case, involving the right of the public to see how public money is being spent on delivering public services, is being heard on Tuesday 25th August 2009 at the High Court.
WASTE COMPANY IN COURT BATTLE TO KEEP WASTE CONTRACT SECRET FROM RESIDENTS
A French-owned waste company is going to the High Court to try and prevent Nottinghamshire County Council making public details of its £850 million waste management contract and the invoices paid by the Council.
The full hearing of the Judicial Review is taking place after an interim injunction was obtained by Veolia Environmental after council officials agreed to release the information following a request by local resident Shlomo Dowen, of People Against Incineration [PAIN].
Mr Dowen is represented by lawyers from Friends of the Earth’s Rights & Justice Centre.
Information in the contract and the invoices will show how much money Veolia Environmental is charging the local council for each method of treatment (landfill, incineration, recycling, composting, etc.) and will help show whether or not the local authority is getting value for money.
Shlomo Dowen said:
Nottinghamshire residents have a right to seeing how tens of millions of pounds of our money is being spent, and our waste is being dealt with. This information must be made public. Veolia Environmental must not be allowed to keep this information secret.
Friends of the Earth’s executive director Andy Atkins said:
The law gives the public explicit rights to see this type of information precisely so that they can hold authorities to account on major issues such as this. Companies like Veolia that wish to take enormous amounts of public money must recognise that members of the public have an interest in ensuring that the money is well spent.
Mr Dowen has already accessed some information from the Council and has asked the District Auditor to investigate amount of money it is charging Nottinghamshire’s County Council in respect of landfill tax.
Veolia is also embroiled in another controversy with Nottinghamshire County Council over its plans to build an incinerator on a former Colliery site in Sherwood Forest. The company claims that local waste levels are expected to rise significantly in the coming years– a fact hotly disputed by PAIN, who point to evidence that Nottinghamshire’s waste levels have actually fallen.
Hearings for the Public Inquiry into the proposed Sherwood Forest Incinerator will begin on 6th October 2009 in Rainworth, near Mansfield. These hearings are expected to last for three weeks. PAIN is joined at the Inquiry by Newark and Sherwood District Council and Notts Wildlife Trust who also oppose Veolia’s incinerator plans.
Shocked in Shepshed
Residents of Shepshed in Northwest Leicestershire we shocked to learn of possible plans for an incinerator in their village. The plans for an incinerator near Shepshed have been put forward by Biffa. Biffa are one of three companies short-listed by the County Council to build a new facility to process the County’s waste. Leicester Friends of the Earth have backed local residents in their opposition to plans to build a giant waste incinerator near Shepshed. You can read more about this at:
http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Fury-grows-incinerator-plan/article-1276006-detail/article.html
and
http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Massive-waste-burner-planned-Leicestershire/article-1273645-detail/article.html
and
http://www.letsrecycle.com/do/ecco.py/view_item?listid=37&listcatid=217&listitemid=53228
Emerging Global Anti-Covanta coalition
Campaigners from North America are joining with others faced with the prospect of a Covanta-run incinerator in locations around the world to share information and campaign tips. UKWIN is supporting this effort. If you would like to join this coalition, please contact paul@fluoridealert.org
Invergordon
“Controversial plans for a £43m waste incinerator in Invergordon have been rejected by Highland Council.” “Planners snubbed over Invergordon project…Company considers appeal…Highland town celebrates as waste plan thrown out…” “Highland Council chief executive Alistair Dodds is considering a plea from SNP opposition group leader John Finnie to launch an inquiry into his senior planners’ handling of the application.”
See
http://www.north-star-news.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/4964/Incinerator_plan_is_extinguished.html
and
http://www.highlandlibdems.org.uk/news/000155/thurso_welcomes_decision_to_throw_out_plan_for_incinerator_in_invergordon.html
and
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/8204937.stm
Perth
“Residents against the building of a waste incinerator in Perth believe the local council acted unlawfully when granting outline planning permission…Outline planning consent for the development was granted in 2006, but full details only emerged this year. The Grundon Waste Management plans for the £100m incinerator, which include a 260ft chimney, have attracted hundreds of objections. Bridgend, Gannochy and Kinnoull Community Council hired planning lawyers to look into the matter.” “The community council turned to Roy Martin QC and advocate Stephen O’Rourke in their David versus Goliath battle to prevent English-based Grundon Waste Management creating a towering £100 million recycling plant on the Shore Road.”
See:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/8213662.stm
and
http://www.perthshireadvertiser.co.uk/perthshire-news/local-news-perthshire/perth-city/2009/08/21/community-council-reveal-incinerator-legal-hurdle-73103-24492774/
RAID – Residents Against Inappropriate Developments
In their August 2009 e-newsletter the newly formed RAID are announcing their plans for further public meetings to inform more people about the proposed developments associated with the Hatfield Power Park (Doncaster) and especially one known as the DEW Project. If you have not yet seen the presentation or know someone who has not seen it please come along on one of the dates below:
Thorne – 3rd September at the Assembly Rooms
Dunscroft – 9th September at St Lawrence Community Centre
Dunsville – 18th September at the Community Centre
Hatfield Woodhouse – 25th September in the Village Hall
Stainforth – 2nd October at the Resource Centre (Old Folks Centre)
All the meetings will start at 7.30pm.
Also, the Barnsley Doncaster and Rotherham (Dearne Valley) Joint Strategic Waste consultation is coming to Dunsville Community Centre. On Friday 4th September there will be a public consultation meeting at Dunsville Community Centre to discuss the suitability of Hatfield Power Park as a waste management site as part of the DPD process. There will be a display from 2pm until 5pm and then a presentation from 6pm until 8pm with questions and answers.
Please encourage anyone you know to visit the RAID website and sign the online petition.
Newcastle
An ongoing political row is rumbling on over the issue of the incineration of waste in Newcastle.
See:
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/the-environment/go-green-news/2009/06/20/controversial-debate-over-newcastle-incinerator-72703-23932252/
Crymlyn Burrows
There is news on the infamous Crymlyn Burrows Incinerator on the outskirts of Swansea. Neath Port Talbot Council has accepted a payout of £6.7 Million in a court case against the firm of consultants that advised them to go ahead with the plant. The local residents are also taking a class action suit against the incinerator for the odour problems it is causing. For those unfamiliar with the background story see the Swansea FoE website.
Jersey
“A damning new report on the euro rate incinerator fiasco has raised serious concerns about the management of the Treasury.”
See
http://www.thisisjersey.com/2009/08/10/incinerator-report-serious-concerns-over-treasury/
Kingston
KINGSTON AGAINST INCINERATION NETWORK
Networked to UK WIN – Networking Communities fighting Incineration
The last Kingston Council “consultation” workshop on Waste and last year’s Energy seminar did not reflect adequately input from local residents and there were various individual protests at the waste workshop. It is therefore very important that there is grassroots understanding and consensus on this before the waste consultation workshop on the 16th September to ensure that what we want is not manipulated into what we don’t want…For more info contact PennyKFOE@aol.com
A letter from the Co-ordinator of Colchester and NE Essex Friends of the Earth, Paula Whitney to her local Gazette Letters page:
Dear Editor,
Cllr Tim Young (6 Aug) has robustly defended Colchester council’s formal opposition to the Essex Waste Strategy last May when the coalition took control. Last autumn Colchester’s Cabinet formally opposed the county’s second bid for PFI funding since 2005. Well done!
Cllr Tina Dopson informed Defra that Colchester did not support the
bid. Our LibDem MP Bob Russell, many opposition councillors and campaigners told Defra and the Minister this, and that many thousands of Essex people have opposed MBT and incineration since 1999.Since May 2006 waste PFI rules require bids to show that all relevant councils and the public ‘have been consulted and that there is broad
consensus’. Hence the 2008 trick public consultation, widely
condemned as misleading.Colchester rather put a spoke in the last PFI bid by pulling out. If we can scupper the bid we will save Essex council taxpayers huge costs and recycle and compost more instead.
Now the surprise news has just hit the headlines (3 Aug) of a third
desperate attempt by ECC for costly PFI finance from Government. This one deftly includes Colchester as one of the councils supporting the bid as a member of the previous Essex waste ‘Partnership’. Pardon?The ‘MBT’ plant for 351,000 tonnes a year at Basildon would shred and
compost ‘black bag’ waste in massive warehouses, reducing its weight
by a fifth. ECC officers said it may be landfilled or turned into polluting fuel pellets to burn in an incinerator on one of the sites.Let’s hope Colchester council, our MP and some of us can move fast to
inform Defra and the Minister that neither they nor the Essex people
support the PFI bid. These 27.5 year contracts will cost the taxpayers huge sums to destroy our valuable resources.
And finally…
Music to our ears
Yet another anti-incinerator song has been composed. “It Was Madness” will be released on the 14th September. On this note UKWIN has been asked if there is anyone who would be able to help promote the single…
A 1-minute preview of the song can be heard at http://web2.nessmp3.com/bands/1327. There is a possibility it could be a National hit and with it massive exposure for the cause. The artist who wrote and performed the song is keen to do appearances, etc, however he won’t be able to work the ‘machine’ on his own. Are there any offers of help?
With the support of Friends of the Earth’s Right and Justice Team (and others who shall for the time being remain nameless), People Against Incineration (PAIN) has sent a letter before action to the Environment Agency warning them that if they don’t quash their Sherwood Forest incinerator permit within the next fortnight they face a judicial review. Continue Reading “More PAIN for EA over Sherwood Forest incinerator permit” »
The honeymoon period between the French-owned multinational waste company known now as Veolia Environnmental Services (Veolia ES) and Nottinghamshire County Council (Notts CC) appears to have come to an abrupt end. Just three years after Veolia ES signed a Waste PFI deal, valued at £850 million, with Notts CC, the local authority finds itself a defendant in a court action initiated by their waste partner. Continue Reading “Veolia take legal action against waste partner” »
Researcher and health campaigner Mike Ryan has raised the alarm after receiving a letter from Justin McCracken. In the letter, the Chief Executive of the Health Protection Agency (HPA) admits that they have not studied the rate of illness or premature deaths at electoral ward level around any incinerator. Continue Reading “Local Health Studies Myth Debunked” »
Ombudsman probes county council over 3 decisions
Waste incinerator and two schools plans face investigation
Published Date: 30 April 2009 By Helen Lambourne
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE County Council is being investigated into how it dealt with three major developments in Mansfield and Ashfield.
The Local Government Ombudsman is probing residents’ concerns about the council’s planning department in relation to the new building for Mansfield’s Samworth Church Academy, the proposed incinerator in Rainworth and the new post-16 centre at Kirkby’s Ashfield School.Council chiefs insist they have acted properly but if the ombudsman finds the county council has carried out any wrongdoing, it can ask it to take action to put things right or even pay compensation to those affected.
The complaint about the proposed waste incinerator relates to the committee meeting in January where councillors backed the plans by Veolia Environmental Services — which will now go to public inquiry.
Keith Kondakor, waste statistician and supporter of People Against Incineration (PAIN), gave the meeting figures about the amount of waste sent to landfill but says he was accused by a planning officer of getting the details wrong.
He said: “The planning officer claimed at the meeting that my statistics were wrong and undermined our valid arguments at the meeting.
“The officer just assumed that my facts must be wrong and made it impossible for elected members to trust what the objectors were saying. It was in fact the planning officer that was getting all his facts wrong.”
The next meeting of PAIN takes place on Wednesday 6th May at Rainworth Methodist Hall at 7pm and there is also a tea dance on Sunday 10th at Rainworth Village Hall from 2.15-5.30pm, with tickets at £4.
The Secretary of State, Hazel Blears, is understood to have written to Nottinghamshire County Council informing them of the decision to call in Veolia’s application for a 200,000 tonne per annum waste incinerator at Rainworth, near Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.
Continue Reading “Sherwood Forest Incinerator Inquiry” »
Veolia failed in their bid for a landfill site at Rock Common, West Sussex, and they were caught out withholding environmental information in Nottinghamshire. Continue Reading “Veolia trashed again” »
Local campaigners have been taken aback by the Secretary of State’s decision to allow Waste Recycling Group (WRG) to construct a 3rd line at the Nottingham incinerator. The ageing and ailing Eastcroft burner would, if this plan goes ahead, increase its capacity by 100,000 tonnes per year, to 260,000 tonnes. Continue Reading “Eastcroft expansion decision” »
Government Office issues holding order, preventing Nottinghamshire County Council from granting planning permission to Veolia’s Sherwood Forest (Rainworth) incinerator application. Continue Reading “Forest fire on hold” »
