Environment
21 November 2008


Waste Incinerator

The possible siting of a waste incineration facility by Buckinghamshire County Council (BCC) Waspseys Wood, Gerrards Cross or at Springfield Farm, Beaconsfield was the subject of a consultation exercise carried out by BCC from the end of June to early August. The District Council was very concerned at the limited time allowed for the consultation and wrote to those likely to be most affected to try to raise awareness of this crucial options report (Bucks Waste Development Plan Document).  We have also pressed for an extended or fresh consultation and have asked the Government to intervene to insist on this.

The District Council supports the need to find new ways to dispose of our rubbish without putting it to landfill - we must all recycle more and find better ways of disposing of the remainder - but the two sites proposed are not suitable on planning grounds.  Springfield Farm is in the Green Belt and its proximity to residential areas and the effect of lorry movements, especially on Beaconsfield Old Town, should preclude it from consideration.

In the case of Wapseys Wood, again the site is in the Green Belt and was scheduled to close by 2012 when its current planning consent expires.  It is not served by a railhead so again the lorry movements would be substantial and emissions from an incinerator are an additional concern.

The latest position as announced by Buckinghamshire County Council is as follows:

COUNTY COUNCIL ANNOUNCES NEXT STAGE OF WASTE DEVELOPMENT PLANNING
The Council today announces the next stage in the development of its waste plan. During the summer the first phase of consultation took place with over 2,500 individual responses and several petitions, including one signed by 12,000 people opposing the possible use of land at College Road North, Aston Clinton as an Energy from Waste (EfW) site.

The Council's new programme acknowledges the need to analyse and respond to all the complex issues raised. The Council feels that it is more important to take time to analyse this high level of response than meet its original October deadline.

The new timetable will see the Council consulting on its 'Minerals and Waste Core Strategy', which will include proposals for the most important sites, in February 2008. This will give everyone another chance to have their say on possible strategic sites for future waste management and minerals extraction.

One big difference will be the removal of Aston Clinton as a 'preferred site' for an Energy from Waste (incineration) facility. This is in response to a formal objection from a government department about conflicts with aviation. For a similar reason the Council has concluded that Energy from Waste should not be proposed for Long Crendon, a 'safeguarded site' in the previous plan.

The Aston Clinton site is still being considered for other waste purposes, such as a household waste recycling centre.

It is also possible that proposals for other sites may change as a result of work currently in progress, relating to environmental, health and traffic impacts.

Martin Tett, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Waste, said, "This shows that we listen and respond to the residents of Buckinghamshire. The whole point of the consultation was to identify key issues and concerns, and there were a number of legitimate issues raised by people across the County. We are thoroughly investigating and assessing these responses. The consultation on the Minerals and Waste Core Strategy next February will give everyone a further opportunity to let us know their views and proves that this is anything but a fait accompli or
'done deal'.

He added, "At the same time we will publish a report with responses to all the points raised so far. I can assure everyone that all views are being considered. I would urge everyone to take part in next year's consultation."

Residents in the District have already started to make their opposition heard in large numbers but more feedback to the County Council is needed.

Please write to Cllr Martin Tett at Buckinghamshire County Council, County Offices, Walton Street, Aylesbury, Bucks HP20 1UA