MP's plea on waste incinerator plant
MINISTERS have been urged to intervene and get plans for a waste incinerator on the edge of Plymouth thrown out.
The call was made by Tory MP for South West Devon Gary Streeter, who questioned the siting in his constituency of an 'energy from waste' plant "in an attractive rural area, clogging up local roads".
But Local Government Minister Ian Austin refused to be drawn into the row over the Lee Mill scheme, insisting it was for waste planning authorities to identify locations for refuse facilities.
There are now two waste firms, offering three possible sites, in the running to build a waste incinerator for Plymouth. These have been narrowed down from nine initial expressions of interest.
Viridor is focusing on its own site at New England Quarry near Lee Mill. The company has said that it will build there regardless of the outcome of the bidding, and is expected to put in a planning application very soon.
The German waste company MVV Umwelt has proposed incinerators in Ernesettle and Devonport Naval Base's North Yard.
The contract will be awarded at the end of this year.
Earlier this month, SITA UK dropped out of the bidding for the £100 million project.
It had proposed an 'energy from waste' plant at Devonport's South Yard.
Raising his opposition to the Lee Mill scheme in the Commons, Mr Streeter said: "Does the department's guidance suggest that it is sensible to place a large energy-from-waste plant in an attractive rural area, clogging up local roads and causing all kinds of highway issues? If not, will the Minister encourage Devon county council to throw out the Viridor scheme for Lee Mill in my constituency?"
But Mr Austin said: "The guidance shows that waste planning authorities should identify suitable locations for waste facilities in their local plans, and in doing so take into account our planning policies for waste."
10 Comments
by youareplymouthto, plymouth
Sunday, January 31 2010, 11:06PM
“im just going to fly tip mine in ivybridge.and who was that from st budeaux running down ernesttle?i mean st budeaux,im affraid of driving through there at under 50mph incase my wheels get nicked,were all janners including poxy ivybridge,someone from a decent area wouldnt piddle on any of us,even if you really do think your a cut above.”
by fay, plymuoth
Saturday, January 30 2010, 3:11PM
“what about the 89 million the council will get for haveing it here,seem they quite happley put the health of people at risk for a quick buck,”
by Fed up with snooty holier than thou South Hams res, Plympton
Saturday, January 30 2010, 7:40AM
“Resident, Ivybridge ............AND just WHERE do you think YOUR rubbish will go if the incerator is built in Plymouth........YES Plymouth as the plan is for waste from Plymouth South Hams and South Devon to be got rid of in it SO...........don't go there, also since when was there something to say YOU can't use Chelston Meadow I think you will find it's Plymouth residents that cannot use Ivybridge as they now ask where you live in the South Hams and on some occassions ask for proof
We already have the dockyard, 2 crematoriums,one huge landfill site ( where doesn't rubbish from Ivybridge go too ) Plympton have the power station. NOW it's your turn to have something......GET OVER IT and get off your high horses”
by Billy, Southyard
Saturday, January 30 2010, 6:38AM
“Ernesettle is mostly council, therefore should site the plant.
2/3 of the population are on benefits and 50% smoke anyway, so its a no brainer, plus leaks from the yard, keep all the area as a general hotspot”
by Bengie, St Budeaux
Saturday, January 30 2010, 6:19AM
“Because Ernesettle is already so full of rubbish that no one will notice a bit more.
It will give you something to do on a weekend scavenging through it for something to eat.”
by b_mused, Saltash
Friday, January 29 2010, 10:17PM
“Why should Ernesettle take waste from St. Budeaux?”
by Another Ivybridge resident, Ivybridge
Friday, January 29 2010, 5:34PM
“New England quarry is the obvious choice and Mr Streeter does not know what he is talking about.”
by les, sparkwell
Friday, January 29 2010, 4:44PM
“South Hams residents should use the Ivybridge recycling centre and not Chelson Meadow as it is not fair to expect Plymouth taxpayers tp pick up the costs! Lee Mill for the waste to energy plant does have merit in terms of vehicle access and location. We all create rubbish and it has to go somewhere - the nimby approach is simply not creditable”
by Resident, Ivybridge
Friday, January 29 2010, 4:18PM
“Why should we have to put up with your rubbish? I seem to recall not so long ago that if you were not resident in Plymouth then you couldn't use Chelson Meadow tip. Boots on the other foot now, deal with your own rubbish and keep out of the South Hams!”
by Grizzlee, Plymouth
Friday, January 29 2010, 10:32AM
“Streeter Strikes Again - classic NIMBY speech.
Put the incinerator anywhere except near where I live.
I can't understand why the Herald gives this guy the publicity.
Lee Mill is already industrial and its downwind of the largest centre of population, it is also on the main A38 for access.
Sounds ok to me.
Surely we want to put the incinerator at a site that is not within a large centre of population?”