Grundons appeal enquiry extended
Initially expected to last three days, the enquiry has dragged on to a second week due to delays surrounding evidence submitted by the waste giant.
The firm is battling West Berkshire Council’s decision to refuse planning permission to extend the quarrying operations at Old Kiln Quarry in Chieveley, next to the site Grunon intended to build an energy from waste facility - an application also turned down, but as yet not appealed.
A spokeswoman for Grundon, Ruth Roll, said irrespective of the outcome of the Chieveley incinerator the quarry functions would stand alone.
“ Planning permission was granted for the extraction of high quality, soft building sand from the quarry in 1992 – to meet a local need – and a very long time before anyone even thought about the proposed EfW facility.
“The need for the extension to the quarry is market led – and would exist irrespective of whether the Chieveley EfW facility is permitted or not. The quarry site would never be used for the disposal of bottom ash from the facility – as this material is used to make recycled aggregate. The other waste stream from EfW facilities – air pollution control residues (APCR) – are managed at specialised facilities.”
Campaigners from the protest group West Berkshire Against the Grundon Incinerator have given evidence at the enquiry.
The group thanked the members of the public who had attended and urged anyone interested to attend the summing up session, expected to be at the council’s Market Street offices today (Thursday).