Waste plant protesters call for Government intervention
CAMPAIGNERS against the Javelin Park incinerator insist families are being bypassed in the planning process that could see a £500 million waste plant erected near junction 12 of the M5 at Haresfield.
The 'monster' incinerator edged nearer reality this month when a contract was signed between Gloucestershire County Council and waste firm Urbaser Balfour Beatty.
A Liberal Democrat 'call-in' of the decision was thrown out days later. Despite the agreement, protesters say the development can still be stopped in its tracks as planning permission is yet to be granted.
They are now calling for the Secretary of State to step in and make the final decision on the controversial project and a public inquiry.
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Helen Michael, who lives in Hardwicke, is so incensed by the scheme, she took to the streets of Gloucester on Saturday to gather anti-incinerator signatures on a petition.
"I have never protested about anything before in my life," she said. "My faith in the democratic process and the institution has been shattered.
"There is not a democracy in this issue, more of a 'shamocracy', it's disgraceful.
"The reason there is so much public apathy to the incinerator in the county is because the council hasn't told people the full details. Public consultation has taken place during peak times when people are either at work or putting their children to bed.
"By not getting involved or making the effort to find out what is happening, people are effectively supporting the incinerator.
"I have stood outside Tesco's to hand out leaflets to young families and they have said 'what incinerator?'
"As it is on the outskirts of Gloucester, people think it won't effect them - but it will effect all of us. The toxic chemicals and nano-particles will be coming 15 miles downwind and get dumped on a high-population density.
"There is scientific evidence to suggest that infant mortality rises by 8 in 1000 in areas downwind of an incinerator. That is a huge increase. People need to become informed to realise the impact on their lives, as house prices will also fall in nearby areas."
Standish resident Sue Oppenheimer has joined the campaign as part of the Glosvain protest group.
"We need to raise the profile of this campaign, this is not a done deal and people can still make a difference.
"They need to know there are alternatives to an incinerator that would be better for the tax payer, better for their health, the environment and our pockets.
"Neighbouring councils in South Gloucestershire, Bristol and North Somerset, have got a facility they have contracted in Avonmouth. It cost around £25 million to build.
"It is considerably smaller at just 15 metres high and will take less time to build, is cheaper and uses a more effective technology than Javelin Park.
"We are asking the Secretary of State to step-in and make a decision on this, it needs to be taken out of the council's hands."
Comments
by CommsGuy
Monday, October 29 2012, 1:36AM
“Bonkim2003 are you a UBB shill?
The tender process is a secret
The evaluation process is a secret
The contractor selection process is a secret
The full financial details are a secret
The Risk Register is a secret
Serious financial penalty to pay if there is no planning permission
Makes it almost impossible for the planners to say No
A 25 to 40 year lifespan with no break clause
It's £500 Million
Who wants a monstrous carbuncle dominating the head of the Severn Valley?
You state : "Waste if produced has to be dealt with and waste to energy the best commercially and environmentally proven method."
This thing uses Bag Filters :
UBB Quote : "The facility will incorporate bag filters which are best available technology, and are effective at removing particles from the plant's emissions," said a company spokesman.
Bag filters are best available technology? I don't think much of that !
The use of bag filter dust abatement equipment may be very effective at preventing some particulate emissions. However, the nature of the system will selectively remove the larger particles and it is likely that a significant proportion of emissions will be particles with a diameter below 10 μm. The proportion of such emissions below 2.5 μm is not easy to determine from available references but some sources indicate that as much as 67% will be present as PM2.5. Particles with a diameter of 2.5 microns are more dangerous because they can be drawn deeper into the lung. Even smaller particles are considered by many to be even more dangerous.
The Environmental Protection Agency cites health studies indicating that particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5) are "the major contributor to serious health problems like respiratory illness and premature mortality"
[ http://tinyurl.com/8lhuapu ]
Take a look at :
http://tinyurl.com/9rwejnh
Why is the chimney height 70-80 metres ?
Why haven't the various plume pictures been printed in the Citizen and Echo. I presume that you don't live downwind of this thing.
Serious health issues and concerns and, if you live downwind, just wait until you want to sell your house and the solicitor performing searches finds you are downwind of the incinerator. No chance of selling without a significant discount, or may be at all!
Anyway : Best Available Technology?
Bags?
Really ?
From 2015 - 2040 [a 40 year lifespan for this burner is likely, so 2015 to 2055 (and from this extrapolate a lifetime cost of the burner at £800Million)]
It's 2012 and leaky bags is the best that they can do ? And for the next 40 years?
Economically and environmentally this thing makes no sense.
There is no Localism here. It's a democratic dictatorship. GCC councillors supporting this burner believe they're overqualified to make these decisions and we plebs must just keep quiet and carry on paying our council tax. Personally, I have no confidence in them and I think they are incompetent.
And why so much secrecy ? Using the surveillance state adage if you've nothing to hide, you've nothing to fear! What are they hiding and what are they afraid of?”
by Bonkim2003
Saturday, October 27 2012, 9:02PM
“Stop living a consumption-oriented life in the first place.
Waste if produced has to be dealt with and waste to energy the best commercially and environmentally proven method.
This protest will not succeed because it is more emotional superstition than substance.”
by Lecorche
Saturday, October 27 2012, 7:55PM
“It's the wrong thing in the wrong place as a result of the County Council's Secrecy,Ineptitude and Blindness to Democracy.
Something stinks and it's not the rubbish!”