Veolia's planning application for a 90,000-ton incinerator at Battlefield is now under consideration by Shropshire Council's planning department.
The registration number is: MS2009/0125/SY and can be viewed at: http://planning.shropshire.gov.uk/PlanAppDisp.asp?RecNum=59315
The hearing, which will be before the new Unitary Authority's Planning Committee, is not expected for several months.
The consultation period officially ends 30 April but you can still object to the proposal, if you have not already done so.
If you feel that you need more information, you can write a very short note or card with your brief reason for objecting and reserve the right to add more details later on. The earlier you write, the better.
Objections should be in writing and delivered by letter or email to:
Mr Malcolm Bell, Head of Planning and Development Control, Shropshire Council, Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY2 6ND.
http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/index.nsf/contact?opennavigator&id=planning.921AC90983D3B05880256D9E0031E5D7
REMEMBER TO INCLUDE THE REGISTRATION NUMBER.
If you want to email an objection to us, we will deliver it for you. Just make sure it has your name and full home address on it: safe_waste_shropshire@yahoo.com.
Here are some planning considerations which will be taken seriously by the committee when considering this application.
You can use any or all of these points or, of course, use your own!
Your fears about pollution and dangers to health:
Incineration does not remove waste, it converts it into another form (gas, particulates, ash) and these new forms are typically more hazardous. The fine particulate (less thanPM2.5) pollution, which is typical of incinerator emissions, is an important contributor to heart disease, lung cancer, and an assortment of other diseases, and causes a linear increase in mortality. Particulates from incinerators will be especially hazardous due to the toxic chemicals attached to them. Other pollutants emitted by incinerators include heavy metals and a large variety of organic chemicals. These substances include known carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, and substances that can attach to genes, alter behaviour, damage the immune system and decrease intelligence.
Modern incinerators produce fly ash which is much more toxic than in the past, containing large quantities of dioxin-rich material for which there is no safe method of disposal, except vitrification, a method not being used in the UK.
The dangers posed by the disposal of 3,600 tonnes toxic fly ash and the need for transportation of huge quantitites (22,500 tonnes per year) of polluted bottom ash away from the Battlefield site.
The large carbon-footprint of an incinerator
The negative visual impact of a large plant next to the historic Battlefield site and which will also be clearly seen from the town and neighbouring residential areas
The flawed process leading up to the application - lack of Council scrutiny, the 'democracy deficit' in the processes leading up to the awarding of the contract and the poor level of consultation
Fears that incinerator emissions might affect people's health including yours and that of your family
The mismatch between actual falling waste figures, actual rising recyling figures and the claimed need for an incinerator
Concerns that the future costs of such a project could be ultimately borne by the council tax-payer as has happened in other areas such as Nottingham and South Wales when projected costs have fallen short of reality
The lack of consideration of cleaner, safer and cheaper alternatives to incineration such as MBT, anaeorobic digestion and plasma-gasification.
The decision to depart from the Shrewsbury Waste Local Plan which precludes 'mass burn incineration' at the Battlefield site
The implications of the transport of hazardous waste from the incinerator near to residential homes and the increased number of lorries visiting the plant at a time when Peak Oil is nearing or has already been reached.
The proximity of an incinerator to the new food enterprise park
The increase in noise levels and distasteful odour
Non-compliance with the waste hierarchy: The proposal does not comply with the waste hierarchy, in that waste incineration should not be used in preference to waste reduction, reuse, recycling and composting (including anaerobic digestion).
Help the Campaign
Help us raise awareness - start spreading the word - tell all your friends, family, work colleagues and neighbours.
Lobby all candidates for the new Shropshire Council. Whatever they say, they are allowed to give an indication of their views on incineration and it is important that they understand the need to inform themselves properly, take note of public opinion (strongly against incinerators) and take the appropriate action to stop this proposal.
Please take action TODAY to have your objection considered for this planning application!
Register your e-mail address and/or address with us for further updates and keep on returning for updates to http://www.safewasteshropshire.co.uk/
Ways to help stop the Battlefield Incinerator:
Write to your local councillor/s
Distribute leaflets
Donate money to the campaign
Write to the local press
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