Hundreds march against incinerator
HUNDREDS of people marched through the streets of Ivybridge in protest against plans to build an incinerator near the town.
An estimated 300 demonstrators, accompanied by samba band Crooked Rhythm, gathered at the Watermark Centre before heading to the town centre waving placards.
Waste company Viridor wants to build an incinerator and landfill site at New England Quarry, near Lee Mill. The plans are opposed by a number of groups which united to organise Saturday's demonstration.
Frankie Dolan, who founded the website ecoIvy.org, said those against the incinerator favoured alternatives such as investment in recycling, increased kerbside collection, composting, mechanical biological treatment (MBT), and anaerobic digestion.
She said the demonstration had a fantastic turnout, at short notice and on an important shopping day before Christmas. "Many had never demonstrated in their lives," she said. "All ages, from little children to pensioners came out today.
"We don't think the incinerator is the right technology for Devon; we don't want it anywhere. We believe there are much better alternatives.
"Waste is the resource of the future. We shouldn't be burning it; it would undermine our recycling efforts and pose a health and pollution risk. There's no quick fix; it requires effort from everybody. If there is a lot of investment in recycling, it would really stimulate the economy."
Stephen Mosbacher, of Friends of the Earth, said: "It's an old-fashioned technology, the finances don't stack up, it's bad for our health, it's bad for climate change and it's going to reduce the value of the area.
"I'm concerned for my own health but I also oppose the one planned in Ernesettle. I'm against any incinerator. I can't understand why Devon wants to use one when London and Surrey have decided not to."
The South West Devon Waste Partnership is considering plans by three waste companies – MVV Umwelt, SITA UK and Viridor – to build a £100million incinerator at one of four sites: New England Quarry, Ernesettle, South Yard and North Yard at Devonport.
The incinerator would handle all remaining domestic rubbish from Plymouth, Torbay and South Devon after recycling had taken place.
Viridor says its plan would provide jobs and could produce enough energy to power around 45,000 homes, and it will go ahead with the facility at New England Quarry even if it is not chosen by the Waste Partnership and hopes to submit a planning application to Devon County Council this month.
Final tenders will be invited late next year, and the incinerator contract will be awarded in 2011.
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by Shivaun O'Casey, TQ13 7AQ
Monday, January 04 2010, 4:35PM
“Sorry I didn't know about it.”
by Sarah, ivybridge
Tuesday, December 15 2009, 10:16AM
“The message is clear. Incinerators are not the way forward- If we take time to look people are fighting against incinerators all over the country. I am saying NO to ALL Incinerators and YES to finding a cleaner, better way of dealing with the waste we all produce.
I live and walk to work in Ivybridge and I am thinking about the greater impact not just what is going to happen to the local area- Surely YOU cant believe that the incinerator will not effect YOU in Plymouth- or do the global effects stop at the city limits??
Just wondered who protested against the previously mentioned unwanted developments...or did you all sit at home moaning after it happened about it and making snide internet comments to those who care enough to at least try to make a difference.
Isn't it time we started to think outside of our own little box and start to look after our planet. It is after al the only one we have.”
by Sarah, ivybridge
Tuesday, December 15 2009, 10:16AM
“The message is clear. Incinerators are not the way forward- If we take time to look people are fighting against incinerators all over the country. I am saying NO to ALL Incinerators and YES to finding a cleaner, better way of dealing with the waste we all produce.
I live and walk to work in Ivybridge and I am thinking about the greater impact not just what is going to happen to the local area- Surely YOU cant believe that the incinerator will not effect YOU in Plymouth- or do the global effects stop at the city limits??
Just wondered who protested against the previously mentioned unwanted developments...or did you all sit at home moaning after it happened about it and making snide internet comments to those who care enough to at least try to make a difference.
Inst it time we started to think outside of our own little box and start to look after our planet. It is after al the only one we have.”
by Jon, S.Hams
Monday, December 14 2009, 3:11PM
“Quote;
"PEOPLE are very critical of Ivybridge here, and for what reason? "
Here are a few:
1.NIMBYism. Many people in Ivybridge are happy to take the economic benefits that living near Plymouth brings (jobs for example), but are not prepared to give anything
2. Hypocracy. People who live in newish houses that were built on previously rural land now object to more development.
3. Atttude. This very strange idea that people in Ivybridge are somehow superior cos they live in the South Hams. Actually Ivybridge is simply an estate like many within the city.
4. Talking rubbish. People who claim to be green but drive to work in Plymouth and furthur a-field.
5. Deception. The protesters say They don't want an incinerator anywhere, but you can guarantee that the hidden agenda is "site it somewhere away from us".”
by Eternal Optimist, Plymouth
Monday, December 14 2009, 2:41PM
“"Pleasant and affluent"?? More like repetitive urban sprawl. Talk about delusional. This incinerator has to go somewhere - NIMBY's.”