Protest group ready for incinerator fight
Anti-incinerator protestors say there will be no festive let-up after Grundon finally submits application
CAMPAIGNERS opposing plans to put an incinerator in Chieveley have said they are prepared to fight all the way to the High Court.
Following almost 12 months of waiting, last week waste disposal giant Grundon lodged plans with West Berkshire Council's online planning portal.
The site earmarked is a 31sq metre patch of land at Old Kiln Quarry, next to Junction 13 of the M4, owned by JS Fairhurst and ANOR, and key to the protestors' argument is part of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
The chairman of West Berkshire Against the Grundon Incinerator, Simon Conington, said: “We are not at all surprised that Grundon have chosen December to submit the application.
“No doubt they will be hoping the festive break will disrupt campaigning. However, quite the reverse is true as lots of people are at home on holiday and therefore able to help us spread the word.
“Despite Grundon having made what we believe to be only a few minor modifications to their original plans, the point of principle remains unchanged to protect the countryside from inappropriate development such as this. There are no waste incinerators on any AONB's currently in the UK and that is for a good reason. We are prepared to fight Grundon all the way to Judicial Review if necessary.”
Initial plans as part of a scoping document exclusively revealed by the Newbury Weekly News in January described a plant with 85-metre high stacks capable of processing 350,000 tonnes of commercial and household waste a year, enough to power 50,000 homes.
A series of consultation events took place and now Grundon have returned to the table with scaled back plans and a deal which in the current economic climate is likely to test West Berkshire Council's resolve.
The firm reduced the height of the stack to 75 metres, and said the plant would process 100,000 less tonnes per year than originally stated.
It also made a commitment to a £125,000 per year community trust fund to support local causes in the community that hosts the facility, should planning consent be granted, from the moment the first spade hits the ground.
The firm also said the Government would reward the council with up to £1 million per year for the life of the waste scheme.
Following validation of the plans, consultation with the public and other bodies will begin.
Mr Coningon added: “WBAGI is organised and ready for the fight and is communicating with its registered database. It will be notifying them when the plans are open for public comment as well as posting fliers through doors in all local villages.
“Should any members of the public wish to sign up for automatic updates on the campaign they can do so by registering at www.wbagi.org where full details on how to object will be posted when the time is right.”
