Great Shefford incincerator campaign continues as planners recommend refusal

A plea for more time by applicant J Passey and Son to address drainage problems was rejected and the matter will now be decided by West Berkshire Council planning officers under delegated powers.
Senior planning officer Isabel Johnson stated: “The applicant has already had extensions of time on the scheme and submitted further information which has not resolved the drainage issues on site. The application is going to be put forward with a recommendation for refusal.”
One of the project’s chief critics, Chaddleworth Parish Council chairman Grahame Murphy, said: “At last a pragmatic, scientific approach has been taken to this application.”
The application sought permission to move a knacker’s yard used for storing horse carcasses, plus an additional horse incinerator, from its current location on the Turnpike industrial estate in Newbury, to the vacant Wessex Saw Mill site in Great Shefford.
It proved hugely controversial, attracting more than 300 representation letters from the public.
Most objected but nearly 50 people signed a petition in favour – all of them near neighbours of the existing yard who wanted it moved because of the “foul smells” emanating trom it.
There was uproar from racehorse trainers and the National Animal Welfare Trust in Great Shefford said a ‘yes’ vote would spell the end for the charity.
The project has had a roller coaster ride through the planning process since it was first registered in early 2013.
An initial application was withdrawn after planners requested more information on drainage, and a fresh one subsequently submitted.
Then in September this year, Jeff Beck (Con, Clay Hill) announced he was “calling it in” – meaning that the decision would be made following a debate by West Berkshire Council’s western area planning committee. Mr Beck subsequently reversed his decision.
The applicant was then granted more time to respond to issues raised by the Environment Agency (EA). The EA finally remained opposed, having been unconvinced by new, technical reports submitted to address its concerns.