Cheltenham Borough Council formally opposes plans for incinerator at Javelin Park
OPPOSITION to plans for a new incinerator is growing stronger with Shire Hall bosses being described as "too arrogant to listen".
Cheltenham Borough Council has formally opposed the Javelin Park proposals, saying the rationale behind the project is deeply flawed.
-
bas sounds: Musician Robert Perry at the Hotel du Vin, where he will be performing on his double bass, pictured with hotel sales manager Elisa Giuliani and reservations and events co-ordinator Kat Rack
Concerns were also raised by the authority about the county council's ability to be independent in making a decision on the planning application.
The borough council will now urge the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Eric Pickles to make the decision instead.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013
Councillor Roger Whyborn, cabinet member for sustainability, said: "My real concern is that the county council has backed itself in to a corner where it is trapped by its previous decisions.
"It is not as if they were short of other people to ask the difficult questions and suggest alternatives as new technology emerged. But alas they were too arrogant to listen and re-evaluate their ideas."
Some members also brought up health concerns and financial worries about the incinerator.
But Councillor Paul McLain, deputy leader of Gloucestershire County Council, hit back and rejected their claims.
He suggested the issue was being used for political gain with county elections due to be called in May.
He said: "You can always tell when there is an election coming up.
"This is a case of the Liberal Democrats trying to put some clear yellow water between themselves and this."
Mr McLain also slapped down the suggested health concerns raised by some members.
"My goodness, this has been done to death," he said.
"The Health Protection Agency has made it crystal clear they believe an energy from waste plant is safe. They are absolutely clear."
Mr McLain also pointed to some of the benefits the incinerator would bring.
He said it would create enough electricity to power 25,000 homes and enough metal would be recovered from the burning process to build 6,000 planes over the course of the waste contract.
The borough council was following the lead of Stroud District Council, which has also formally opposed the plans.
Gloucestershire County Council has already awarded the 25-year incinerator contract to Ubaser Balfour Beatty.
The county council is likely to fork out a £15million penalty if it does not go ahead.
8 Comments
by Bonkim2003
Sunday, February 17 2013, 8:53AM
“Future2010 - you have a point about the 2005 election manifesto - that is not to say I am against an energy from waste plant which is an essential component of an integrated waste strategy that would include recycling where appropriate, anaerobic digestion of food waste where collection costs can be justified, EFW, and even some landfill of the inert residues.
Equally it is the County Council's responsibility to dispose/process waste in a cost and environmentally effective manner. The problem we have is that the various district/city councils have set up a right pickle of multi-bin collection systems without first matching collections with treatment. It is a bit like starting factories for this or that without considering if there will be a market for the finished goods.
The local councils are responsible for collection - blame the central government to have instituted such a silly division of responsibilities and GlosCC pretending to be in control of its waste strategy. they are not - simply events have led the councils in a never ending maze trying to justify where they are going.
This has been going on since before 2004/5, corrupted by the target driven culture of the previous Labour government, and no sign of any closure.”
by Future2010
Thursday, February 14 2013, 5:04PM
“I wonder how many people remember the Conservatives election manifesto that said: we will continue to fight against incineration.
I wonder how many people will believe their election promises this time round.”
by Future2010
Thursday, February 14 2013, 5:02PM
“Ref. Councillor Paul McLain, deputy leader of GCC's claim that: ""You can always tell when there is an election coming up." and his suggestion that the issue is being used "for political gain with county elections"... by opposition parties.
He is right, about one thing, the Conservatives do use the issue as a "tool" when elections come up by trying to dismiss and deflect incinerator opposition simply by saying that it is an election ploy and ignoring the fact that a lot of people have been putting forward justifiable objections to the incinerator for a long time.”
by CommsGuy
Wednesday, February 13 2013, 2:15AM
“Flooding
The Javelin Park site that the County Council acquired for this burner is subject to flooding and flooding of the surrounding roads. They paid £7.4Million for this site and it is now worthless. It is unlikely that Urbaser Balfour Beatty will be able to confidently build on this site, and it is unclear if the council will have to pay the £15Million penalty if that is the case.
There is a short video here showing the extent of the recent flooding at Javelin Park
http://tinyurl.com/czlhbaa”
by Cheltonia
Tuesday, February 12 2013, 3:44PM
“Thank goodness that Cheltenham borough Council can do SOMETHING right! We really do not want the fall-out from this antique device. Technology has moved on.”
by QuedgeleyGuy
Tuesday, February 12 2013, 10:59AM
“It's fitting that the picture online shows a big fiddle!”
by geraint2010
Tuesday, February 12 2013, 10:58AM
“Meanwhile two young ladies are awe-struck at the size of Robert's instrument!”
by Walker100
Tuesday, February 12 2013, 9:24AM
“The simple fact is that from the moment the County Council purchased Javelin Park with no planning consent and no contract with any contractor they had painted themselves into an expensive corner that would cost a great deal to get away from. That corner just got more and more expensive.
With local authorities now seeking an independent view on the matter it is looking increasingly difficult for the County authority and they are looking increasingly isolated.
"But Councillor Paul McLain, deputy leader of Gloucestershire County council said "You can always tell when there is an election coming up. This is a case of the Liberal Democrats trying to put some clear yellow water between themselves and this."
Really Mr McLean?....how do you explain the Conservative Stroud District Council opposition then?”