Quarry incinerator moves a step closer
PLANS to build an incinerator in the countryside outside Plymouth have taken another step forward.
The Environment Agency said it was about to publish a draft environmental permit for the proposed energy from waste plant at New England Quarry near Ivybridge.
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Artist’s impression of the planned incinerator at New England Quarry
The incinerator was one of two shortlisted to handle Plymouth's waste.
It was eventually beaten in a bidding war by MVV Environment Devonport, which is now building an incinerator at Weston Mill for the South West Devon Waste Partnership.
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Viridor Waste Management had already said it would push ahead with the incinerator next to the former New England Quarry regardless.
An incinerator requires planning permission plus an Environment Agency permit.
Devon County Council was due to consider a planning application from Viridor in April this year, but at the last minute the company asked for it to be deferred.
Meanwhile, Viridor has submitted the application for an environmental permit.
The Environment Agency said yesterday that it would publish a draft permit along with a draft decision document on Friday.
It said it was satisfied that the incinerator could be built and operated in a way that ensures a high level of protection to human health and the environment.
The publication of the draft decision marks the start of a five-week consultation, which will run until October 12.
Judy Proctor from the Environment Agency said: "This further consultation period allows us to check that nothing has changed since the original application and that nothing has been missed or overlooked in the draft permit before we make our final decision."
The draft decision document and draft permit will be available to view from Friday on the Agency's website at http://bit.ly/SntO7w and on the public registers at:
The Environment Agency, Sir John Moore House, Victoria Square, Bodmin, PL31 1EB
South Hams District Council, Follaton House, Plymouth Road, Totnes, TQ9 5NE
Plymouth City Council, Civic Centre, Royal Parade, Plymouth, PL1 2AA
Guidance is also available on the Environment Agency's website to help people respond to the consultation, or on the customer service line on 08708 506 506.
The agency is also planning to hold a public surgery at the Watermark Centre in Ivybridge on Thursday, October 4. Environment Agency staff will be there to help people understand how the draft decision has been reached and help them respond to the consultation if they wish to do so.
Viridor has also applied separately for an environmental permit to construct and operate a landfill site.
The company said: "We are also looking forward to receiving a final decision on the planning application for the plant, which is scheduled to be determined at Devon County Council's planning committee in October."
Charlotte Mills, spokeswoman for anti-incinerator group EcoIvy, said: "We are disappointed. We can't see sense in subjecting this beautiful environment to more pollution."
She said EcoIvy's lawyers and experts would study the draft permit and respond.
"We don't feel there is enough waste in Devon for one incinerator, let alone two. Viridor will have to import waste from outside the county."
Comments
by Winstonsmith0
Thursday, September 06 2012, 8:24AM
“If 'our' councils would invest just one-tenth of the money allocated to incineration on education, infrastructure and, to the far lesser degree, enforcement then a complete programme to reduce waste at source and recycle what waste is produced could be started very successfully.
Because of recent events, such as the last minute cancelation of the £3.8 million Chelson Meadows recycling plant, I now no longer trust our councils to fulfil their duty in ensuring we reduce and recycle before either burning or burying what remains.
With the right support and attitude, waste could easily be cut by 50% and the majority of the remainder recycled rendering not one but two incinerators redundant. But none of the big boys would make their vulgarly oversized profits.
Why did the Tory led council even accept the 'need' for any company to make such massive profit when it is obvious to all and sundry that the very same plant could have been built on behalf of PCC, staff trained and then run by PCC with the profits returned to our desperately failing city to the tune of £60 million every year?
No, it's far better to let that amount of money leak out of the country, far from our own flagging economy. Apart from short term gains whilst a few (very few local) building companies are employed, the city will see just a handful of low grade jobs out of this and I suspect none at all from the viridor plant - which was at least the far more sensible location and one shown to reduce waste miles too.
It really makes one wonder just who is making money from this.
Ah, the true face of business!”
by CharlieDodd
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 8:18PM
“It looks like summat out of Teletubbies”
by GreenGOM
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 8:05PM
“Here we again. Wrong technology being selected again when anaerobic digestion makes more sense economically and environmentally. Someone's getting a back-hander.”
by charlee789
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 6:25PM
“WOW 2 incinerators on both edges of the city. Essentially we are trapped between the fumes of two incinerators. Makes me Sick. There is no need for 2. Should have had the one at Ivybridge and not one in the middle of the city. Cant for the life of me think why the Devonport one was preferred over this one. And where is the waste coming from for this one?
Plymouth makes me SICK now. Its becoming a City of WASTE AND SMOG!”
by Waltersmith
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 1:24PM
“Winston - we know that MVV will use the docks at Weston Mill Lake. It is so obvious what the incinerator is being built for - imported waste. Well I suppose it will boost the flagging Plymouth economy.”
by Winstonsmith0
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 12:35PM
“If Viridor do not import waste and, instead, manage to attract waste otherwise going to Plymouth (less waste miles?) then MVV will have to import waste instead.
Why not just set fire to the whole of Southwest Devon and cut out the middle man?
. . . after all, the EA has never yet refused an environmental permit and they keep repeating their mantra that well run incinerators do not do harm that anyone can be held legally responsible for.
Ah, the true face of business!”