Chieveley incinerator public consultation begins
A two-day consultation over plans to build waste incinerator begins today (Friday)
WASTE firm Grundon is today (Friday) beginning the first of two public consultations over plans to build an energy from waste incinerator, capable of powering 50,000 homes, at a greenfield site in Chieveley.
The first event will start at 2pm at Curridge Women's Institute hall in Winterbourne Road, Curridge, with the second to follow tomorrow.
Representatives from Grundon and its publicity firm Nex will be on hand to answer questions, and today Grundon's director of estates, Bob Nicholson, said it was vitally important that concerned residents get involved in the consultation.
“We understand that people are apprehensive and scared, but we are here to calm their fears and talk them through the plans. What we are proposing is environmentally sound and is much needed, and we want to explain that to people in as much detail as possible,” he said.
“We are committed to pre-application community consultation and are keen to ensure the community is given the opportunity to view and comment on our proposals before we progress with a planning application.”
Mr Nicholson said no fixed date had been confirmed for when a planning application would be submitted, as the company would need to sift through all the responses before moving forward.
Grundon said that depending on the strength of public objection to certain parts of the proposals, it may need to alter the designs.
The plans have already attracted fierce criticism. Along with MP for Newbury Richard Benyon, the district council's ruling Conservative administration, and every political party active in West Berkshire have also announced displeasure at the proposals.
An action group has also been formed to co-ordinate resident anger.
West Berkshire Against the Grundon Incinerator (WBAGI), formed in January, is made up of residents from across the district, incensed that Old Kiln Quarry, a site which lies inside an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AOONB), has been chosen for the proposed plant.
Attendees will be able to look at computer generated images of the site (including the one pictured above), including the two 85m flues, which are almost twice the height of the BT tower in Newbury - often labelled as an 'eyesore' - which stands at 44m.
Sketched designs for three oval buildings 47m in height and other waste reception and handling facilities are also on display.
The site, owned by JS Fairhurst Esq and ANOR, is approximately 21.2 hectares in size and sits next the A34 and M4 junction 13, which the waste firm said is crucial to the application.
The transport hub forms a key aspect of the proposal, despite the land being situated inside an AOONB, the firm are confident that the proposed facilities proximity to the M4 will boost it's chances of a successful application.
Generating approximately 33.5 megawatts of electricity from burning 350,000 tonnes of waste per year, Mr Nicholson said the power would go straight to the National Grid, and excess heat generated could also be used to heat water for the nearby MOTO services unit and homes in the immediate vicinity.
Grundon distributed 915 invitations to the consultations, including two general invites to the Curridge Residents Association, and WBAGI.
Tomorrow's consultation is between 10am and 4pm, at the same venue.
Suggestion boxes and forms are on hand, as the firm seeks to encourage as wide-ranging feedback as possible.
