Plan for waste plant is refused
RESIDENTS who have battled plans for a waste processing site on their doorsteps are celebrating after the scheme was thrown out by Doncaster Council.
Dozens of campaigners packed the council chamber at Mansion House as the borough's planning committee told Avvail UK Ltd buildings which would be included in the scheme were too close to residential properties.
The scheme - called the Doncaster Energy from Waste project - is intended to sort and process rubbish such as metal, glass and plastic into usable products and would mean less going to landfill.
A future phase would see fuel produced from other rubbish and used to create electricity.
Opponents of the scheme from the campaign group RAID - Residents Against Inappropriate Development - cheered and applauded as the vote rejecting the scheme was passed. They had collected 1,352 names on two petitions opposing the scheme.
RAID chairman Martin Wraith said: "Common sense has prevailed and residents for once have been listened to."
Mr Wraith, addressing the council, spoke of his concerns if there had been a fire at the site, warning many homes in Stainforth may have to be evacuated.
He also warned of their concerns over traffic, with 296 lorry journeys expected a day.
Ian Prosser, representing Avvail at the meeting, told councillors traffic generated by the scheme fell within limits already been laid out in 2003 when the site was given outline planning permission as Hatfield Power Park industrial estate. The site in on East Lane, Stainforth, close to Hatfield Colliery.
But he said he could not say for certain when a link road to the motorway would be built, although his consultant Stuart McLoughlin said it was expected to be within three years of planning permission being granted.
He also told the meeting the buildings would be no more prone to fire than any other type of structure and had non-combustable panels which were approved by insurance companies. There had been no objection from the fire service, he added.
Planning officers warned councillors they had no grounds to turn the scheme down on traffic grounds because of the existing planning permission from 2003.
Architect Paul Leonard, behind the scheme, said no decision had yet been taken as to what move to make next on the part of Avvail.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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