Claim waste burner plan is 'out of date'

The director of a planning group today claimed there was no provision for a waste incinerator plant in Shrewsbury.

Martin Parrish, of the Planning Group Ltd, based in the town, said there was no policy in Shropshire Council's adopted Waste Management Plan that would permit the development of a waste incinerator plant in Shrewsbury. He also described the process of waste incineration as "out-of-date".

He said: "With regard to the proposed incinerator destined for Harlescott, I have investigated the planning policies under which Shropshire Council has to work and can see no policy in the adopted Waste Management Plan that will permit the development of a waste incinerator plant in Shrewsbury.

"I have also examined the emerging local development framework document and can see no policy which says it will exist there.

"Moreover, the local development framework document states that Buildwas Power Station could be a possible location for such waste incinerator uses.

"However, surely the practice of using incineration is out of date in any event."

Mr Parrish added that many businesses and residents in the area were concerned.

He said: "I have noted the major concerns that the businesses and residents of north Shrewsbury have to the proposed incinerator and feel that they are rightly justified regarding their concerns."

Mr Parrish said he had drawn up a number of alternative options, including using Wolverhampton's existing incinerator which is large enough to deal with Shropshire's waste or putting it at Buildwas Power Station.

"The question has to be asked as to why Shropshire Council appears to be encouraging the proposal of a waste incinerator?" he said.

"Is it because the council has a contract to support the development of an incinerator?

"The Planning Group fundamentally believes the application for the incinerator should be refused on planning grounds and the group also believes that there are substantial grounds for refusal on financial and environmental terms.

The planning expert added: "We, the taxpayers, should not be expected to finance obsolete, environmentally flawed, incongruous systems of waste disposal and the council should sit up and take notice of its electors."