Incinerator campaigners dealt blow by Government (From The Argus)

Incinerator campaigners dealt blow by Government

4:21pm Friday 23rd March 2007 in

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People campaigning against a controversial incinerator have been dealt a blow after the Government decided not to call the decision in.

Thousands of protesters wrote to Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly urging her to look at the East Sussex County Council decision to grant permission for the huge incinerator in Newhaven.

But Ms Kelly has given the council the green light to have the final say on the 14,000sq m "energy from waste" plant.

It means that subject to developers Veolia signing a legal agreement on proposed lorry routes, full planning consent will be granted.

Devastated campaigners yesterday hit out at the decision and promised to continue their fight.

John Hodgson, chairman of Peacehaven Residents Opposed to Urban Development, said: "It is outrageous. The democratic process has failed the people of Newhaven. If 15,000 letters of protest don't produce a reaction from the Government, it is a sad day for democracy.

"Given the campaign they have led, the people of Newhaven deserve the courtesy of having that application looked at. It is a really major application.

"It is no good telling people to get involved and then move the goal posts. I would have thought with the size of this structure, it would have been of too great national importance to let county hall deal with it. I don't think it is good enough."

Lewes councillor Marina Pepper said: "This is a complete sham and I can't say I'm surprised.

"If I was living in Newhaven now I would be wondering how I found myself living in this hell on earth, where the Government doesn't listen to the people.

"This is the end result of lazy economic and environmental policies that puts the health of Newhaven residents at risk. But the battle is not over and I would urge people to keep fighting."

Jill Jerome, who fought against the incinerator, said: "I'm so angry that this council can just disregard the thousands of letters, public demonstrations and everything.

"It's absolutely catastrophic for the area and the traffic on the south coast road will increase massively. People power just doesn't seem to matter anymore."

The planned incinerator at North Quay will process 210,000 tonnes of household rubbish from Brighton and Hove and across East Sussex every year.

Veolia say the plant would generate electricity from household waste that is not composted or recycled, diverting it from landfill sites. The electricity would then be fed into the distribution network, providing power to the equivalent of 16,500 homes.

There will be 44 conditions on the planning permission to ensure matters such as dust, noise and construction do not have an adverse impact on nearby residents.

A spokesman for East Sussex County Council said: "Although the Government's decision is not a surprise to us, it is a welcome endorsement of the robustness of our planning processes."

How will the incinerator affect your daily life? Are you considering moving out of Newhaven because of the scheme? Have your say below.