THERE’S still time to fight the planned waste incinerator in Westbury say local campaigners.
It follows the news that the Environment Agency has extended the consultation period for consideration of an environmental permit if the proposed Westbury incinerator gets the go-ahead. On behalf of the local action group WGAG / No Westbury Incinerator group, Dan Gmaj is urging local people to take a look at the details for an environmental permit and to make their views know.
He reports, “An image has been widely publicised that shows the proposed NREL incinerator from what is fair to call a ‘pigeon’s eye’ perspective. This image does indeed show the limited overall footprint of the plant. However, It is clear that if the image is to be used to influence decision-makers when the application comes to committee, that it is in no way representative of the vertical scale of the proposal which will in actuality, be hugely evident for many miles on all approach roads and more locally from the ancient monument of Bratton Camp, nor is it evident or representative of the close proximity to the town of Westbury itself, just to the right of the railway tracks. (Slightly out of shot!)
“Councillors and members of the Strategic Planning Committee please take note. We will know it’s there because we can all see the Arla building behind the proposed site, and the existing Hills ‘sorting building’ in front of the proposed site already. It’s practically in the town now, and certainly getting closer every day as new builds go up.
“The other photograph here was taken just last week and shows the actual current view across our town to the sizable white Arla factory and is most telling because the Arla factory will disappear from view behind this titanic incineration plant if given the green light by the SPC (possibly in February) and a permit to operate by the Environmental Agency soon after (or possibly before).
“One thing we now know for certain however, is that the mass of pressure by our MP, parish and town councils and the people of Westbury to draw attention to the inconsistencies of briefings on the environmental permit have resulted in an extension for your comments until the 21st February 2021 so well done! That’s #PeoplePower at work!
“Which means that YOU should now, please be considering the potential environmental impact on Westbury and the surrounding towns and villages and letting the EA know about it, if you haven’t already of course. The extension of consultation gives us all more time to speak out because we would not want Westbury to be added to the many accidents reported at incinerator sites all over europe. (Accident map supplied to WHN), there have been many!
“Fires have already been a problem at the existing Hills waste sorting site and it is clear that even larger amounts of materials will be stored on site if the incinerator goes ahead:
“It is crystal clear, therefore, that any ‘fire prevention plan’ must be rigorous.
“This brings to something called ‘Human Receptors’ (in application speak!) i.e. you and me, otherwise known as the people of Westbury! Apparently “There are no ‘resident/ human receptors’ at Spinaker” a new housing development where 319 houses and flats are currently being built. In addition, ‘There are no ‘resident receptors’ in the area of Newtown, Studland Park, Whiteland Rise, Upland Rise and The Butts’ either according to the report, this is the area that was severely affected by pollution when Blue Circle / Lafarge were operating and a problem was well known to Wiltshire Public Health dept. (article from Wiltshire Times 2008)
“We should also mention again that the applicant is using meteorological data from ‘Lyneham’ with completely different topography to Westbury so effectively unfit for purpose.
“The ‘human risk assessment’ in our area is one that should be fully addressed so please do what you can and get writing!
“There is an online portal at https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/psc/ ba13-4we-northacre-renewable-energy-limited/
“For more information, you can join our facebook group: ‘WGAG / No Westbury Incinerator’ or email: WestburyGAG@gmail.com
