LOCAL MP, Dr Andrew Murrison, has written to the case officer of the planning inspectorate to ask that they reject the plans to build an energy-from-waste incinerator in Westbury.
Dr Murrison points to the effect that the incinerator would have on the local air quality, as well as the financial impact it would have on Arla Foods who operate next to the proposed site.
The letter reads, “I write in the strongest possible terms to object to Hills Waste/NREL’s plan to construct an old-style grate incinerator at Northacre near Westbury in my constituency, adjacent to a densely populated residential area.
“Hills Waste already operates a waste facility at the site which is attended by a disgusting odour that blights the lives of its neighbours and has required action by the Environment Agency. Residents’ fears about a waste burner on their doorstep are completely understandable and well founded.
“Much concern has been generated by potential health impacts and it is certainly the case that the proposals have caused significant distress to people I represent. My constituents too are far from reassured by Hills’ modelling around extra waste lorry traffic transiting the congested town centre, already an Air Quality Management Area, along the A350.
“The consultation launched by DEFRA in March under the 2021 Environment Act contained welcome proposals for much stricter targets on waste incineration. It seems highly likely they will form the basis of government policy in the very near future and as such, are a legitimate planning consideration that the planning authority was right to have regard to when it considered this matter and rejected the application in July.
“At the meeting of the Strategic Planning Committee on 27th July which I attended, Arla Foods which has its state-of-the-art dairy next to the planned incinerator, pointed out in clear and unambiguous terms the threat the proposal would have on its operation. The Westbury plant is unique in the UK and is absolutely essential to the country’s dairy industry.
“Arla is a signature Westbury undertaking providing quality jobs in the locality. If there are incinerator mishaps or planned or unplanned outages, which seem highly likely on past form, the dairy operation would have to be suspended because of the risk or perception of taint. That would be disastrous for farmers nationwide seeking to process a highly perishable product and would risk Arla, a farmer-owned cooperative, feeling obliged to relocate. Not only would that disrupt the UK dairy industry but would have a significant negative economic and employment impact on Westbury.
“I strongly urge you to support the planning authority in its 27th July decision and DEFRA’s recently signalled intent by rejecting NREL’s proposals.”
The planning inquiry is due to take place on Tuesday 22nd November.
