Objectors tell Aycliffe incinerator inquiry: 'it needs to be stopped'

The start of a five-day public inquiry heard residents give impassioned statements about their objections to a government-appointed inspector.

Durham County Council refused planning permission last December for the "high-temperature thermal treatment facility for clinical and hazardous wastes" at Merchant Park.

The proposed plant, with a 30m-high flue stack, would process 10,500 tonnes of waste per year, running 24 hours a day seven days a week.

Fornax Environmental Solutions Ltd are appealing against the council's refusal of the scheme.

Read more: LIVE - Public enquiry opens for Newton Aycliffe incinerator appeal - updates

The plan had drawn hundreds of objections from residents, some of whom spoke at the hearing at Aycliffe Business Park on Tuesday (June 28), voicing concerns about pollution, health, landscape and "a number of imponderables and uncertainties".

Durham County Council defended its decision to refuse the plan because of impact on jobs.

Its counsel John Barrett said nearby businesses at Aycliffe Business Park had lodged objections.

He argued the facility - offering 27 full-time jobs once running, with 75 during construction - could lead firms to consider moving away, would detract from new businesses and probably lead to reduced investment.

He said: "The appeal proposals represent an inefficient use of prime employment land resulting in under-delivery of jobs.

"The proposed use and the perception associated with it has the potential to significantly undermine both job growth and investment in the wider Newton Aycliffe industrial estates."

Read more: Newton Aycliffe incinerator plan rejected after stack of objections

Paul Tucker QC, representing Fornax, argued the council's reason was "somewhat difficult to sustain" and perceptions of harm were "entirely unjustified and unreasonable".

He said: "This is a much-needed scheme in the right place to handle the increasing local, regional and in fact national demand for these types of facilities.

"They often have a positive effect on the local economy.

"The fears concerning the impact that this scheme would have on air quality and future employment uses are entirely unfounded."

He said there was a proven need, addressing a shortage of such facilities, in a region and country "struggling to keep up with the demand to handle and incinerate hazardous and clinical waste".

John Longley, representing the Residents' Group, said: "We are not NIMBYs. We do recognise that incinerators sometimes need to be built.

"Our argument is that it should not be built on such a prestigious site and near to residential areas."

He said there had been a "truly shocking" lack of consultation in a process "littered with mis-information, lack of information, to much irrelevant information and constant moving of goalposts".

He said: "None of our concerns seem to have been taken into account at all.

"We believe that the original planning application is totally different to the planning application referred to in this appeal."

Read more: Public inquiry to be held for Aycliffe incinerator appeal

Gary Bosomworth from automotive component manufacturer Gestamp Tallent, the largest employer in the Aycliffe industrial park, said he had concerns about the proposed facility and its effect on his 1,200-strong workforce's health and wellbeing.

Resident Chris Yates said: "Personally I think this monstrosity should not be built so close to nurseries, schools. It's just too close. It needs to be stopped."

Fiona Sowerby described her home of Heighington as "absolutely glorious", idyllic and magical.

She said: "The building of a vast, hazardous incinerator with an enormous imposing chimney so close to these villages would be disastrous to this area's character and look."

Hilda Longley said she would be forced to move if the incinerator went ahead as she would not want to put her child at risk "trapped in this toxic environment".

Harriett Sowerby said the 30m chimney would be a "constant reminder" to residents and could blow "plumes of pollutants" including "toxic particles" into the atmosphere.

Quoting from the Bible, Robin Wallington said: "Should this proposal proceed, I fear we will have neither prosperity nor health.

"The future for this area has to be brighter, cleaner and a better one."

Eileen Brewis added: "To approve this application... so close to where families live, work and thrive would be a travesty."

And Joanne Smith said: "History is littered with apparently safe developments tragically going wrong and blighting the lives of people in the vicinity.

"There is no second chance."

The inquiry continues.

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