“We believe in Westbury and that the people of Westbury should have a voice”
A CHANT of “Secretary of State, Robert Jenrick, call it in” filled Westbury town centre on Saturday morning when around 120 people gathered to protest against the waste incinerator plan.
Residents turned out for the peaceful action, holding signs saying “No incinerator,” walking slowly from the Market Place to the High Street through Maristow Street.
The event attracted TV camera crews and local media. Speaking to the crowd, demonstration organiser, Mike Sutton said, “I think it’s wonderful that people have turned out. It is a shame that we have to do all of this to get our voice heard.
“We’ve seen the process but that doesn’t mean we’re going away. We believe in Westbury and that the people of Westbury should have a voice, not the seven stooges that passed the planning. This is all about people.
“We’re going to march very peacefully to make the point that the people will be heard and will be listened to. This is all about bringing the message home to the Secretary of State, Robert Jenrick, to call it in for a public inquiry.
“Two thousand, three hundred people wrote to Wiltshire Council to complain, every single council around us opposes it and the planning committee passed it within 30 minutes – it was a pre-ordained decision and we want to bring that notice to the Secretary of State and say ‘please listen, this is all about democracy.’
Make our voice heard
“It’s all about having a voice – we will make a difference and we will make our voice heard.”
An attendee said, “I am not an activist or very politically involved. But this is about us people. There was a great turn out – it took 15 minutes, was very peaceful.” She added the protest was for the health and future of the town.
“Don’t let them do this to us,” she said. “The Secretary of State can still call this in. Make your voice heard.”
Local people praised the demonstrators who took part in the march, saying “Well done Westbury!” They called on more people to take part in any future protest marches.
Carbon-belching monster
Plans for the £200million waste to energy incinerator in Westbury was approved by Wiltshire Council’s strategic planning committee in June, with seven votes to four in favour of the application.
Since then, local people have been urged to write to Secretary of State, Robert Jenrick, urging him to ‘call in’ the application and reconsider whether the incinerator should go ahead. Westbury Town Council sent a letter to every household, asking them to write to the Secretary of State and local MP, Andrew Murrison said, “We still have the opportunity to stop this carbon-belching monster.”
