Councillor Hill opposes Covanta

Stewartby's Liberal Democrat Councillor Tim Hill attended the Council's Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview and scrutiny meeting last night to question both the Environment Agency and Covanta about the proposed Energy to Waste Plant.

Before Councillor Hill started his questioning, he welcomed the news that a High Court Judge has ruled in favour of Bedfordshire Against Covanta Incinerator (BACI). The Judge said that BACI has identified arguable grounds to have their case heard in Court. Councillor Hill thanked BACI for their work so far.

Councillor Hill first asked about the scale of the plant, saying there is absolutely no defensible reason for a plant of this size and goes against all principles of sustainability and questioned the environment effects.

Councillor Hill then asked about the huge number of vehicle movements and the impacts of greenhouse gases and particulate emissions of lorry movements, particularly with regard to the lorries queueing in close proximity to Kimberley 6th Form College.

Councillor Hill also asked about the operational safety of the plant.

Councillor Hill concluded by, once again, thanking BACI and outlining the activities of the Council and Bedford Borough's Liberal Democrat Mayor Dave Hodgson.

Councillor Hill then successfully moved that the Committee record their opposition to the development.