The People's Republic of South Devon

Some 300 people attended the latest public meeting in Ivybridge to find out how to object to the proposed incinerator near the town centre.

There’s cross-party opposition to the proposed incinerator at New England Quarry – which is refreshing what with a General Election looming – and you wouldn’t want to make political mileage out of a practical issue where politicos can prove their worth. Labour, Lib Dems, Conservative and UKIP, were present bigging up their cross-party anti-incinerator group CAVIL.

The meeting highlighted all the ways that people can object to the incinerator on planning grounds – yup, it’s reached the planning stage.

Labour PPC for South West Devon Luke Pollard said: “The incinerator campaign started out as me and one resident leafleting Ivybridge about the incinerator and only six months on it is a community campaign properly taking the fight to Viridor. This is a very powerful statement of how communities can and are fighting back – and one I’m proud to be involved in.”

Lib Dem Anna Pascoe was at the Lib Dem party conference in Birmingham, but sent this message of support to the campaign:

“Local people have clearly spoken out against this incinerator application, time and time again. It’s crucial that Viridor start listening to us and the more letters of objection to the county council planning department, the more chance we have of achieving that goal. I’m sorry I couldn’t be here today, but I’m sure the resolve of residents to fight the so-called Energy from Waste plant is as strong as ever and would be happy to offer my planning committee experience if anyone would like advice on their letters of objection.

“As I said at the march before Christmas, incineration is a dirty and backwards-looking technology The residents of South Hams have a great recycling rate and to be rewarded with the threat of this incinerator is nothing short of an insult. What makes me even angrier is that Viridor has the money, resources and expertise to use green technologies  at this site. Instead, however, Viridor chooses to claim that burning waste, emitting gases and creating poisonous by-products is actually a great environmental option.

“Well, I don’t believe that and I’m sure you don’t either. Let’s use our objections to show a shrewd and insightful scrutiny of the incinerator planning application and highlight to the planning officers and councillors that it simply doesn’t stack up on environmental or transport grounds.

“We’ve tried to engage in dialogue with Viridor about this and I feel like that’s been a one-way conversation. Now it’s our time to have the final word and condemn this incinerator application for good.”

To find out how to object to the Viridor plans for in incinerator in Ivybirdge, pop over to Luke Pollard’s site, EcoIvy or even the PRSD

• Deadline for objections to Devon County Council, Monday, April 19

(Image from Save Our South Hams)

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