OPPOSITION is mounting to the revised plans for a waste treatment plant in Westbury.
Town councillor, Ian Cunningham, has raised concerns about the revised plans while former Wiltshire councillor for Westbury, David Jenkins, has also warned the public that the applicant has arranged a virtual meeting as consultation, which he describes as “a cop out” and an attempt to take “full advantage of the current lockdown regulations to suit their own ends.”
Local MP Dr Andrew Murrison has already called the plans ‘completely unacceptable’ while news of the change in plans has also enraged local group Westbury Gasification Action Group (WGAG).
Last month, Northacre Renewable Energy Limited (NREL) – a joint venture by The Hills Group and Bioenergy Infrastructure Group – announced that it was scrapping its plans to build a waste treatment plant using ‘green’ incinerating technology. Instead it is proposing to build a plant using convential incineration technology and to significantly increase its capacity.
Ahead of the new planning application, which is expected this month, cllr Cunningham has raised concerns that the plans could increase CO2 levels in the town, due to the proposed increase in the plant’s capacity and an increase in vehicle movement. He has also highlighted that the proposed ‘less sophisticated’ incinerating technology, could pose a health risk in the town.
Concerned
Cllr Cunningham, who is chair of the highways, planning and development committee at Westbury Town Council, told White Horse News, “Westbury Town Council (WTC) was strongly opposed to the siting of a gasification plant in Westbury with concerns about pollution, CO2 emissions (climate change), additional traffic, the scale of the building and other issues (our submission is available at Wiltshire Council’s planning portal) with a more general (non-planning) concern that this type of waste handling “solution” would not encourage waste reduction at source.
“Unfortunately, WTC has only a statutory role as a consultee and has no direct powers in planning decisions. Whilst our view was “noted”, Wiltshire Council did not agree with us and their planning committee granted permission for the original plant.
“I do not speak for the town council in any way as no opinion has been determined by the council but I am personally concerned at what looks to be a increase in: capacity; vehicle movement and CO2 output.
Less sophisticated
“At first glance, it also appears to be a less sophisticated technology than in the previous plant, that might offer more risks under some circumstances.
“Councillors, like others, are awaiting more information and we will decide what we will do as a body; an early special meeting on this topic is likely (date subject to resources and agreement by colleagues). Remote public attendance will be possible whilst respecting the current guidance banning public meetings.
“It is the government which sets the rules and Wiltshire Council which makes any decisions (unless the government “calls in” the decision to inspection and takes the decision away from Wiltshire Council).
“Whilst the town council has been vociferous in the past, it is “them” not “us” who will decide what happens to any planning application.”
Cop out
Former Wiltshire councillor for Westbury, David Jenkins, says in a letter, “The applicant has arranged to have a virtual meeting this week on the 7th July so that members of the public who have registered can see a presentation and ask questions and send e-mails etc.
“This is a cop out, it’s no substitute for a public meeting. Northacre Renewable Energy are taking full advantage of the current lockdown regulations to suit their own ends. They have to tick a box on the form for the planning application saying that they have engaged with the community. They will use the virtual meeting as evidence that they have.”
See his letter on page 10.
