Standing ovation as health fears halt waste plant bid
CAMPAIGNERS fighting plans for a major waste-to-energy power station gave councillors a standing ovation when they refused permission to build the plant last night.
City council officers had recommended that Cyclamax's scheme at the new Derby Commercial Park, off Raynesway, be given the go-ahead.
But, following objections from Alvaston and Spondon ward councillors and local residents, members of Derby City Council's planning control committee turned down the plans, stating that they were concerned about the impact on people's health.
It comes after the planning control committee refused permission for a similar plant in Sinfin in December.
After last night's meeting, Simon Bacon, spokesman for campaign group Sinfin and Spondon Against Incinerators, said residents were delighted by the outcome.
He said: "Widespread concern has been shown by the people of Derby to this proposal and so we thank the planning control members for acting responsibly by throwing out this application as they did with the recent Sinfin RRS application."
The plant planned for Spondon would have dealt with 100,000 tonnes of commercial and industrial waste each year, recycling some and turning the rest into energy by a process called "gasification".
The energy produced would have been used to power the plant and other commercial and industrial units. Some would also be exported to the national grid. The plant would produce enough energy to supply 19,350 homes.
The scheme was designed to minimise the amount of waste going into landfill but people living in Spondon and Alvaston said they were concerned small particles emitted by the plant would affect their health. The nearest houses are 450m away in Anglers Lane and Rovings Drive, Spondon.
Cyclamax admitted the plant would emit small particles – known as PM2.5 because they have a diameter of less than 2.5 microns, or millionths of a metre – but said this would only be at a very low level.
In a report to councillors, city council officers said no extra deaths, emergency hospital admissions or GP consultations would be expected to arise in the area as a result of the emissions from the plant.
Officers said that it could potentially shorten people's lives by one hour but said this was compared to a loss of life of eight to nine months caused by current levels of exposure to PM2.5 in Derby.
Tony Watkins, managing director of Cyclamax, told councillors the plant would generate £1m in salaries for the local economy. Cyclamax could appeal against the decision.
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by David Gale, Derby North
Friday, March 19 2010, 3:56PM
“Stephen - there may be a public expectation that MPs are supposed to be 'nice people' and smile sweetly at their constituents even when they disagree with them. I'm far from nice. I am prepared to battle on behalf of my constituents, not just play to the media in search of the next sympathetic headline. I have years of experience inside both local and national government and I understand how the system abuses our democracy. If you want a serious debate, can I suggest that you research the subject first and then contact me directly.”
by Stephen, Derby
Friday, March 19 2010, 3:45PM
“Oh dear David...........so did you!”
by Stephen, Derby
Friday, March 19 2010, 3:44PM
“peter, if you are concerned about your health why do you live where you do? It seems like a stupid decision for you to move there. Should have stayed on Parliament St.”
by David Gale, Derby North
Friday, March 19 2010, 3:43PM
“Oh dear, Stephen! You missed the irony...”
by Stephen, Derby
Friday, March 19 2010, 3:42PM
“David, if you are standing as a prospective MP you should have the answer to that question yourself, if not then you should not be showing your ignorance in such matters. How can anyone have confidence in you? Personally I would vote for Lucy Care, but only to get rid of her from Derby City Council.”
by peter, spondon
Friday, March 19 2010, 3:41PM
“stephen i dont need to lecture you as its your stupidness .that you have not done enough proprer research into the matter .does not other peoples health count first .the poor people living in the radious area dont they deserve better ,. there are more than well off people on this earth that cant buy a house miles away .same old story dump industry thats harmfull there thinking they are safe well the wind carries the ultrafine particles miles . ..i hate selfish people ..lets fine industrialists for manufactureing it .if there is no safe disposal. .as for the big promise of electricity . you wont get it cheaper .and after 25 years the incinerators get condemmed .its back to candles ..so stephen give me your adress .ill check your bin to see if you recycle and compost .proper .weve got to start somewhere .pete spondon”
by David Gale, Derby North
Friday, March 19 2010, 3:23PM
“Could someone please enlighten me? Why is it that in the UK we are seemingly unable to copy the best examples in the world but instead copy the worst? Is it that we lack imagination, are we stupid, or could it be because this isn't about waste treatment but more about meeting some nationally set tick-boxes devised to meet the demands of corporate-financed Westiminster lobby groups?”
by David Gale, Derby North
Friday, March 19 2010, 3:22PM
“Could someone please enlighten me? Why is it that in the UK we are seemingly unable to copy the best examples in the world but instead copy the worst? Is it that we lack imagination, are we stupid, or could it be because this isn't about waste treatment but more about meeting some nationally set tick-boxes devised to meet corporate-financed Westiminster lobby groups?”
by Stephen, Derby
Friday, March 19 2010, 2:47PM
“peter ambler, how dare you attempt to lecture me about recycling. I do agree, however, agree that more can be done but refusal of planning permission is no solution to the problem of the waste we generate.”
by David Gale, Derby North
Friday, March 19 2010, 12:46PM
“@Laura - It might be useful to know that nano-particle emissions will affect a radius of 10 miles around an incinerator and that recent examples elsewhere demonstrate this to be a major health hazard. Additionally, in generating electricity, these incinerator plants emit up to four times the amount of CO2 compared to a conventional, coal-fired power station.”