Incinerator? It's an abomination: expert

A UNITED NATIONS waste disposal adviser has described a proposed incinerator in Lee Mill as being an "abomination".

Last night Dr Paul Connett, one of the world's leading experts in waste management, gave a short lecture in Ivybridge entitled 'Incineration: A poor solution for the 21st century'.

Addressing the meeting of about 60 people, he claimed the planned incinerator at the disused New England quarry would lead to 'health and environmental problems'.

"I think it's preposterous how a private company can come in and change the whole character of the area," he said.

"You cannot hide an incinerator. It would be an eyesore in the area and an abomination."

Dr Connett took part in the meeting at The Watermark after accepting an invitation by the organisers from the Save Our South Hams and Eco Ivy groups.

He said rather than build the £100million incinerator, the Government and Devon County Council need to "go back to the drawing board" and consider other waste management options.

"We need to manage our waste and learn to live more sustainably," he added.

"An incinerator is not the way to do it. It wastes time, energy and money.

"It would also lead to health and environmental problems."

Last night's meeting was called after waste company Viridor applied for an environmental permit for the proposed incinerator.

The company has already submitted a planning application to build an incinerator at the site.

It has now submitted its environmental permit application to the Environment Agency.

Neil Tugwell, a founding member of Save Our South Hams, said: "There is a very strong feeling in the community. The feeling in Ivybridge is 'how can they do this to us?'

"People are very concerned about the health risks and whether the dioxins from the burning rubbish will cause birth defects and respiratory problems.

"They're also upset at the lack of consultation. We feel like we are walking off a cliff with blindfolds on." He said that Viridor had not been invited to attend the meeting.

Chris Westwood, who lives near the proposed site, said: "It is the wrong place and the wrong technology. We all feel the same. We will fight hard against this."

An Ivybridge resident, Peter Brooks, added: "I don't disagree with incinerators, but this is the wrong place. To have a mega plant receiving waste from across the South West would be ridiculous."

The Lee Mill site, along with sites in Ernesettle and in North Yard at Devonport, has been shortlisted for an energy from waste (EfW) plant to handle domestic rubbish produced by households in Plymouth, Torbay and South Devon.

Viridor is in competition with MVV Umwelt, which wants to build on the Ernesettle and North Yard sites, but says it will go ahead at New England Quarry regardless of who wins.