CAMPAIGNERS battling plans for a £30 million incinerator to burn waste including hazardous materials have secured the backing of Chesterfield Council.
The authority's planning committee listened to arguments from residents, who have formed a protest group called Chesterfield Against Incineration, and a presentation from developer Cyclamax.
The Monmouthshire-based company wants to build the facil
ity on the former Cammac coalyard at Dunston Road,Sheepbridge, which would handle up to 75,000 tonnes of retail waste a year. Some 100 jobs would be created.
But residents said they were fearful of pollution and about gasification technology proposed at the plant - untested in the UK - in which gases given off by burning waste would be used to generate electricity.
Cyclamax said the development would create enough electricity to power 16,000 homes.
The committee voted to recommend the plans should be refused because:
- The future strategy for waste planning in the county has not yet been published by Derbyshire County Council and until this is finalised it's not known how many and what type of waste treatment facility is required.
- Concerns that the technology involved in the gasification plant is unproven in the UK and so there is a real fear of health risks, which the council thinks will have an adverse effect on the quality of life of residents.
- The perception of risk will have an adverse effect on the local economy in the area and discourage future business investment in Sheepbridge.
Some firms in the town, including one of its biggest employers Fusions, have threatened to quit if the incinerator is built.
Julie Harrington, one of the organisers of the anti-incinerator campaign, said: "There's a long way to go yet but Chesterfield Council's decision is a step in the right direction."
A final decision on whether to grant planning permission for the incinerator will be made by Derbyshire County Council later in the year.
Cyclamax said the plant would be safe and its application to burn hazardous waste at the site is just to cover incineration of painted materials.
Coun Peter Barr, chairman of the council planning committee, said: "The Planning Committee heard all the arguments. We are well aware of the need to reduce landfill and to consistently review methods of waste disposal.
"The council strongly supports the recycling of waste, but we believe the plans put forward by Cyclamax for a gasification plant are premature and pose a potential health and economic risk to the town. "
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