“If you contact Katherine Webb, the Residual Waste Communications Officer for Gloucestershire County Council, Helen, you will be told that there was a questionaire on waste distributed to thousands of people a year or so ago, and this is evidently all the consultation imput the public are going to get. I have asked exactly what the questionaire asked, and what the results were, but haven't recieved that information, though it was promised to me on July 7th.

It's ironic, because I'm practically bending over backwards to see the council's point of view, since I believe that much of the opposition to the waste plan has been politically motivated. It seems quite obvious that when Labour and the Lib Dems were in charge of the council, they favoured incineration, or the Conservatives would never have pledged against it, but even the Tories won't throw this in their opponent's faces. Everyone has their skeletons.”

“I am concerned at the lack of public consultation by Gloucestershire County Council about the proposed site and nature of a waste disposal facility within the county. Are we really to believe that they have not yet made a decision on this matter? The facts suggest otherwise! The Council purchased Javelin Park Haresfield at a cost of £7.5 million of taxpayers money without saying how this land is to be used? Why the secrecy? There is much speculation that Javelin Park is to be the site of a giant incinerator.
In addition the Council have sought tenders from 10 waste disposal companies. In my opinion this demonstrates that the Council is well on its way to imposing a huge waste facility somewhere in the county and Javelin Park is current favourite location.
I have found no information on the council website about these developments . The Waste Management Strategy document on the Council Website is dated 2002. It appears that there has been significant decisions made about the future of Waste Management,why is this information about these developements not obvious and easily accessible from the home page of their website. How has the council consulted with the public on these issues? How has it got to this stage without the widest and most transparent public consultation. The lack of information and transparency indicate that the Council has deliberately choosen to curtail and circumvent the democratic process.

I also have another concern. How can the County Council spend £7.5 million of taxpayers money to purchase land without knowing specifically why the purchase was made. How may the 08/09 accounts be audited and passed if the purpose of this purchase is unknown?”

“Not sure how the county council can say it is technology and site neutral. It is for the county to have a clear strategy based on minimising landfill, costs and environmental impacts. Contractors will be interested in maximising revenue and profits. Under English law the applicable principle is - 'Caveat Emptor' or 'Buyer Beware' so it is for the buyer to spell out what is the end objectives of the technical systems implemented. One further point - Recycling means little in this context - aim for minimising landfill, cost and environmental impacts. Some of the collections set up increases material collected rather than reduce costs or environmental impacts. Life is not perfect but the best compromise possible.”

“There is a global warming crisis; some natural resources have been plundered and wasted, some are being destroyed; even bees are disappearing. The European Commission stated earlier this year that the UK government was not in compliance with the EU limits for particulate matter emissions and that they were intending to take the UK government to court; (incinerators emit particulates into the air). There is a substantial and increasing amount of research about the dangers that large incinerators pose to the health of people and the environment. Gloucestershire C.C. must not even consider installing one of these monsters (which once installed would be here for at least 25 years) especially when there are more environmentally and economically sound options.

Very small particulates cannot be filtered and can travel for miles (depending upon the wind), Gloucester and Cheltenham would not escape, neither would Minchinhampton. Toxic fly ash would be transported to Bishops Cleeve. Heavy traffic would bring more air pollution into the area. Recyclable material would be destroyed.

Let us make sure that Gloucestershire C.C. listen to the people, put the people first, study the whole picture, investigate the real cost of a large incinerator and base their decision upon what is beneficial for the long term future, the health and wellbeing of the people, the environment and the planet. Let us support the Gloucestershire Friends of the Earth Network petition, write to our MP and our Council representative and Cllr Waddington, and ask our friends to do the same. Let us make sure that Gloucestershire C.C. are in no doubt that a large incinerator would be disastrous for our future. Let them be in no doubt that we do not want a large incinerator which would bring short term gain for Gloucestershire C.C. and long term suffering for everyone else.

Caring about the Future, Cranham”

“Refreshing to read James Makepiece and Lara Foster's comments, particularly after reading Eddie's comments who claims to know the area well - yet he is so very inaccurate. For his (and others info.) A family, with three fairly young children live within two hundred yards of this environmentally damaging possible incinerator site (Javelin Park). All the residents of Haresfield; Standish Hardwicke etc. are only a little further away as 'the crow flies'. Quedgely, again a little further. The world's leaders are meeting to discuss damaging emissions and climate change and here councillors ( or is it only Mr. Waddington (who informed my wife and I, personally that the 'County has no plans to build an incinerator at Javelin Park) are considering sanctioning the building of a monstrous incinerator that will be with us for decades!!! And, in a completely wrong choice of site - on the edge of beautiful countryside; an eyesore from not only Haresfield Beacon, the Topograph etc. Also, right next to Jn. 12 that cannot cope well with traffic build up as it is. Oh, money available to redesign it, yet it was not available on safety groungds?? We have been reliably informed by a now retired councillor that if built it will be similar to an incinerator in Sothampton, Marchwood with 2 or 4, - 65m. chimneys protruding through a huge 36m. high dome. Toxic flyash transported to Bishops Cleeve where there are already people, some children with respiratory problems. How long before G.C.C. is sued for sanctioning this dreadful situation? Recycling facilities are improving all the time yet we still lag behind other European countries in our efforts? Why are materials, often plastics, which create recycling problems allowed to be produced?
My wife and I have gathered over 150 signatures on petition already. In other areas of the country e.g. Avonmouth and St. Dennis, Cornwall public opinion has shown they have not wanted an incinerator, and it has NOT happened there - do those residents care more about their environment than us? Or, is it being 'pushed' through here by Councillors who have blinkered vision, of course rumour has it that if built an incinerator would have to BURN 24/7 and if there was insufficient waste locally then it would be imported from other authorities so their rubbish would be incinerated on our 'doorstep' but they would be charged, financially for the privelege. Hopefully Cllr. Tony Blackburn may be able to exercise some restraint against incineration, published in his county council manifesto.”