Mayor Dave: Residents' Voices Must be Heard on Covanta Incinerator
After submitting a forceful response to the Environment Agency's consultation on the environmental permit application for the proposed incinerator at Rookery South Pit near Stewartby, Mayor Dave Hodgson has called for local residents who will be affected by the development to be listened to.
Writing on his Facebook page, Mayor Dave repeated his criticisms of a process to date which has 'shut out local people at every turn'. He made his statement after submitting a response to the consultation which highlighted issues including the impact that the vast number of lorry movements will have on local air quality and quality of life.
A similarly robust submission was made by the Bedford Borough Council Liberal Democrat Group.
Mayor Dave's full comments following his consultation submission were as follows:
"Ever since Bedfordshire Conservatives identified Rookery South Pit near Stewartby as an incinerator site by selecting it as their preferred location for the former County Council's failed huge incinerator project, I have fought against the development of a giant rubbish burner there.
While we happily saw off the County Council's plans for a local incinerator with a successful campaign, sadly the utterly undemocratic, centralised planning process for Covanta's plans for an even bigger incinerator has meant that project has survived. The Environment Agency are now considering its application for an Environmental Permit to operate the site.
I submitted my objection to the application earlier this week, and implored the Environment Agency to listen to the concerns being raised.
Local residents in Stewartby and beyond have been let down dreadfully on this issue by the government, by distant bureaucrats and by a process which has shut out local people at every turn. Their voices must now be heard."