Agency says there is confusion over incinerator plans for South Hams quarry
IVYBRIDGE residents packed out a surgery where experts addressed concerns over a proposed incinerator for the area.
A team from the Environment Agency held the public drop-in session yesterday from 2pm until 8pm at the Watermark library.
Viridor Waste Management Ltd have applied for an environmental permit to operate an energy from waste incinerator at the New England Quarry, Lee Mill.
Residents aired a range of issues surrounding the proposed multi million pound plant such as air quality and the impact on the River Yealm.
Groundwater expert for the Environment Agency, Jason Lees, said he would be responsible for investigating Viridor's techniques for dealing with leachate — the by product of rain water falling through the landfilled ash, left as a consequence of burning waste.
He said the public had exposed confusion over the steps involved before giving the plant the go-ahead.
He explained that which ever company won the bid to build the recycling and nonhazardous waste landfill facilities, a permit would still be required from the Environment Agency as well as planning permission from Devon County Council.
To consider a permit, The Environment Agency would assess aspects that could harm the environment as well as energy efficiency, accident prevention, site monitoring such as techniques used and standards. It was not their job to consider light pollution, traffic issues and visual impact.
Concerned resident, Peter Hobson who lives one mile from the proposed site, said: "My family would be living in the potential fallout area of toxins generated by the plant."
He added that he didn't think it was right that Ivybridge should bear the brunt of Plymouth's waste.
Comments
by LH, Plymouth
Wednesday, July 28 2010, 8:33AM
“Surely by now it is obvious that all the concerns people have are in common wherever area the incinerator is sited be it emissions, traffic, visual etc. The Plymouth site has the same issue with the River Tamar as does Ivybridge with the River Yealm. The site in Plymouth however does not have any intention of being a recycling centre or visitor centre-it is solely planned for an incinerator. So if it is not the Environment Agencies role to consider traffic issues, visual impact etc, who is monitoring that? To me those issues are equally as important as emissions as they too have health implications. Peter Hobson and others quite rightly have concerns living a mile away but the site in Plymouth is within metres of homes and schools-it will be 'in my face' so to speak and I am certainly not the closest. This cannot be acceptable either. Recently Defra thought the emissions were a risk to the Ivybridge area - what on earth do they think of the Plymouth one? Peter also says about Plymouth waste - I could say well we don't want South Hams waste but that would be churlish. The point is either site will be getting the waste from other areas of Devon - transporting it along already busy roads hundreds of times a day. Yes we have to do something with our waste but councils please put a bit of time and thought before building these incinerators, particularly in already overloaded areas of Plymouth.”