Hundreds protest against Javelin Park incinerator as councillors visit site ahead of planning meeting (From Stroud News and Journal)

Hundreds protest against Javelin Park incinerator as councillors visit site ahead of planning meeting

4:39pm Thursday 14th March 2013 in News By Chris Warne, SNJ reporter for Stonehouse and Chalford. Twitter @ChrisWarneSNJ

A CROWD of around 300 protesters brandished banners and waved colourful placards outside the perimeter of Javelin Park near Haresfield on Thursday (March 14) to signal their intense opposition to Gloucestershire County Council’s plans for a £500 million mass burn incinerator at the site.

The demonstration was organised to coincide with a visit by members of GCC’s planning committee, who were inspecting the 5.1 hectare expanse of land ahead of next week’s crucial vote on the scheme.

Arriving in a white coach to a chorus of heckles, jeers and anti-incineration chants, the county councillors were greeted by the sight of a helium blimp floating 70ft up in the air, which had been paid for by campaigners from GlosVAIN to illustrate the height of the chimney on the proposed facility.

The controversial development, which is being recommended for approval, will be considered by councillors at a planning meeting at Kingsholm rugby stadium tomorrow (Thursday, March 21).

GCC have already signed a 25-year contract with Urbaser Balfour Beatty for the plant and will have to pay up to £15 million in compensation to the company if it is not awarded planning permission.

Over 4,000 residents have registered objections to the scheme, which is also opposed by a host of local authorities, including Stroud District Council, Cheltenham Borough Council and Stonehouse Town Council, as well as a number of statutory bodies and conservation organisations, like English Heritage, Natural England and the Cotswold Conservation Board.

Speaking at the rally on Thursday, GlosVAIN’s chairman Sue Oppenheimer, said: "I am absolutely delighted with the turnout. It shows the strength of opposition."

"There is going to be overcapacity even before this incinerator is built so we don’t need it.

"We want alternatives because we know that two thirds of the waste that will go to this plant will be recyclable or compostable.

"Rather than wasting resources we would like an MBT plant here that reuses those resources and it would be smaller, cheaper and better for the environment."

A spokesman for Urbaser Balfour Beatty, said: "UBB was pleased to receive Gloucestershire’s planning committee to the Javelin Park site. The visit was to assist the planning committee in its evaluation of the application."

They added: "UBB welcomes the planning officer’s recommendation that planning permission be granted for the proposals and is looking forward to the decision of the planning committee."

What the protesters said…

Rodborough resident Peter Vacara, 67, who attended the demonstration said: "I think it is a massive mistake being locked into this form of treating waste for 25 years. It is a form of treatment which is going to be redundant soon."

Helen Jones, a 45-year-old Haresfield resident, urged county councillors to rethink the plans.

"Listen to the people, we want an MBT plant. We realise there has to be something here but just reconsider this travesty," she said.

Ian Rank-Broadley, 60, who lives in Eastington, said: "George Osborne signed a petition against an incinerator in his own constituency so if he can do that then the Conservative councillors here should feel that they can oppose this proposal."