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Thursday, 22 November 2007
Unwanted Blaze Breaks Out at Sita Incinerator
Fire crews were called to deal with a blaze at a waste plant on the Isle of Man on Thursday.
Crews were called to the incinerator on Richmond Hill at Braddan, just before 0530 GMT.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus were sent in to extinguish the flames.
The fire was caused by the failure of a hydraulic ram, which forces waste into the incinerator and burns it to produce electricity.
No-one was hurt in the fire.
Thursday, 1 February 2007
Fears over waste plant emissions
Supporters of Cornwall's organic food industry are expressing concern over a proposed waste-to-energy incinerator.
The plant may be built near St Dennis as part of a £500m county waste management contract awarded to Sita UK.
Objectors say the organic industry could be damaged by possible side-effects of the incinerator.
But Sita UK's technical director Gev Eduljee said there was nothing to fear from the plant which had a fail-safe measure controlling emissions.
One farmer, Oliver Baines, from Bodinnick Farm near St Stephen, said: "The first thing we need is a proper public inquiry.
"That will be the forum where those of us who are concerned can have our say.
"What we are concerned about is if there's an accident, when there are huge releases of not just dioxins but also toxic substances as well."
Organic status
The food producers concerns are backed by Organic South West, a Soil Association-managed project.
Traci Lewis, manager of the organisation, said: "Exposure of farmland to emissions from incinerator or incinerator ash could have the potential to affect the organic status of the land."
But Sita UK's technical director, Gev Eduljee, said the plant would have a "fail-safe" system that controlled emissions.
"Were an event to occur that requires the plant to shut down, it shuts down in a manner that does not release emissions into the atmosphere over and above those that would normally be emitted during its normal run of operations.
"The operator has a duty to report all breaches of its permit to the regulator as soon as it happens."
An application for planning permission is expected to be submitted within a year, and if approved could be in operation by 2011.
Wednesday, 31 January
2007
Three incinerator sites ruled out
Three possible waste incinerator sites in Surrey have been ruled out after an inspector said they could have an adverse effect on wildlife habitats.
The sites, at Heather Farm and Martyrs Lane, Woking and the former Wisley Airfield, were being considered as part of the Surrey Waste Plan.
The county council is looking for the best way of dealing with 600,000-plus tonnes of household waste each year.
But its executive on Tuesday decided to withdraw the three sites from the plan.
Woking Borough Council formally objected last July to Heather Farm and Martyrs Lane being considered for incinerators.
Green belt
Despite the independent waste plan inspector's report, the sites are still earmarked for other waste management facilities such as recycling, storage and materials recovery.
"We are pleased that Surrey County Council is listening to our concerns," said Woking borough councillor Sue Smith.
"However, we are disappointed that both green belt sites continue to be earmarked for other waste treatment facilities."
The inspector said that nitrogen emissions from any incinerator on the three sites could damage heathland habitat for protected species of birds.
The county still has three remaining sites in the waste plan potentially suitable for an incinerator.
They are land adjacent to Trumps Farm, Longcross, Clockhouse Brickworks at Capel and Charlton Lane, Shepperton.
The Surrey Waste Plan is to be examined at a three-week public hearing in front of a planning inspector, starting on 13 February.
Tuesday, 17 October 2006
Waste contract officially signed
A £500m contract to manage waste disposal in Cornwall has been officially signed, despite the anger of five local MPs.
The Integrated Waste Management contract, awarded to Sita UK, will see an incinerator built near St Dennis. Sita said it is going to spend £150m over the next 30 years upgrading facilities and developing new ones. Five Liberal Democrat MPs asked in July for a public inquiry to ensure the contract was not a "rushed" decision. The local MPs, Colin Breed, Andrew George, Julia Goldsworthy, Dan Rogerson and Matthew Taylor said the council should not have allowed the incinerator inclusion to appease government policy. The contract will officially come into effect from November. It was supposed to be signed last month, but there were delays in getting the paperwork ready.
Thursday, 5 October 2006
Protests
at waste plant meeting
More than 40 people took
part in a protest outside a meeting debating a proposed waste incinerator in
Cornwall. The demonstrators kept a vigil outside the Working Men's Club at
St Dennis. Inside about 30 local people spent half an hour each in ones and
twos with county council officials discussing the waste-to-energy plant plans.
Police were on duty after scuffles broke out after an earlier meeting over
the incinerator. The meeting on Wednesday night passed off peacefully.
'Understandable'
protests
French company Sita was awarded a £500m 30-year contract to
manage the county's waste disposal and recycling. The county council said all
parties were due to sign the contract next week and Sita would officially begin
work on 1 November. Sita proposes to build the incinerator near St Dennis as
part of its promise to reduce by 10% the amount of household waste going to
landfill sites. After the meeting Adam Paynter, of Cornwall County Council,
said he hoped officials had been able to explain the reasons behind the plans.
But he said the authority many people still opposed it. He said: "I hope
we've been able to answer some questions, but I'm sure people will still say
'We don't want it here', and you can't argue with that fact that people don't
want to live next door to waste facilities. It's understandable."
Wednesday, 6 September 2006
Delay over waste contract signing
The signing of Cornwall's new waste management contract has been delayed for at least a month, it has emerged. The French company, Sita, was awarded a £500m, 30-year contract to manage the county's waste which was due to be signed on 1 October. Sita's plans include a controversial proposal to build an incinerator near St Dennis. Adam Paynter, from the county council, said due to complications the contract will not now start until 1 November. "It's a hugely complicated contract and a large amount of money, it's purely that the processes that have to be gone through can't be completed on the date," he said. When it takes over, Sita will be responsible for the whole of the county's waste disposal and recycling.
Tuesday, 5 September 2006
Waste company to hold surgeries
People in Cornwall will get their chance to question representatives from the county's new waste management company, Sita UK. The French company was awarded a £500m, 30-year contract to manage the county's waste in July. Its proposals include a controversial decision to build an incinerator near St Dennis, which has caused anger among some residents. A series of about 20 surgeries will be held around the county over six weeks. The surgeries, which are being led by the county council, are being held as part of the company's promise to consult the public about its plans. Towns the surgeries will be held in include: Bodmin, Camelford, Falmouth, Newquay Penzance, Truro and Wadebridge. Sita, Cornwall County Council and representatives from the Environment Agency said they would be answering any concerns. After winning the contact, Sita promised to reduce the amount of household waste going to landfill sites by 10%.
Thursday, 9 March 2006
Search for burner sites narrowed
The location of Cornwall's first incinerator has been narrowed
down to four potential sites.
They are Rostowrack Farm at Parkandillick, land at Roche, Rocks China Clay
works near Bugle and Wheal Remfry China Clay works at Fraddon.
Cornwall county councillors said the sites had been whittled down from 40 for
further consultation.
The £500m contract to run the incinerator will be managed by the French
company, Sita.
But the head of planning at the authority emphasised that a final decision
has not been reached.
Mark Jones told BBC News the council had "honed down" the possibilities
to give the issue greater certainty and would now consult further.
Operator Sita has promised to reduce the amount of household waste going to
landfill sites by 10%.
Tuesday, 17 January
Green light for incinerator plant
French company Sita will manage Cornwall's waste, including
a new incinerator, for the next 30 years.
The county council decided to award the firm the £500m contract to generate
energy from rubbish on a site which has to be agreed.
Sita has promised to reduce to 10% the amount of household waste going to landfill
sites.
Earlier about 30 protesters gathered outside County Hall, Truro. One person
staged a five-hour roof-top vigil.
They believe recycling is the best way forward, but the county council says
recycling is part of the contract and emissions from modern incinerators are
safe.
Sita boss Per-Anders Hjort said the reduction in landfill waste would be achieved
through a combination of incineration, recycling and composting.
He said: "We have every intention of making this contract a showcase for
the industry."
Roof-top protester Owen Braines, 40, draped a banner from the roof of the council
building on Tuesday morning with the words: "No to incinerator, yes to
recycling, yes to jobs."
Community recycling worker Mr Braines, from Truro, said: "The incinerator
will not bring any jobs to Cornwall which is what the county desperately needs.
"A sustainable recycling scheme would increase jobs and ensure that waste
is disposed of in an environmentally sound way."
But many councillors believe a waste to energy plant is the only practicable
solution.
Ann Kerridge, Liberal Democrat county councillor for Bodmin St Mary's, said: "I
am convinced it is the best for Cornwall.
"It is good environmentally and we must stop landfill as soon as possible."
Friday, 2 December 2005
War of words on incinerator plans
More than 200 people marched through a mid Cornwall Village
on Saturday afternoon to protest about plans to build a mass incinerator at
St Dennis.
Residents chose International Climate Protest Day to voice their concerns about
the effects that the incinerator would have on their lives.
The County Council says it has yet to make a decision on the plans.
Government minister Ben Bradshaw has come under attack from St Ives MP Andrew
George for backing incineration.
In a letter to Mr George, Mr Bradshaw writes: "I am firmly of the view
that the project as scoped and as being procured is a good project for Cornwall.
"The project has been well structured to maximise recycling and represents
good value for money for the residents of Cornwall."
No flexibility
Mr George said the Government lacked flexibility and accused it of trying to
force through its preferred scheme.
He said: "He is not going to give the county council any extra time, and
he will not allow the county council the chance to explore other options for
the disposal of waste in Cornwall.
"The plan which the Government supports and are prepared to provide the
necessary borrowing permissions is in fact a Government project."
Tuesday, 1 November 2005
Test drills for incinerator site
Test drilling has been carried out by a council at a site to
establish whether it is suitable for a multi million pound waste incinerator.
But Cornwall County Council said although it was investigating a number of
sites, no decision will be made about the waste strategy until January.
The drilling has taken place in a field near St Dennis in clay country.
Residents claim the council should be looking at other waste options and more
recycling should be encouraged.
Hundreds of people are expected at a meeting in St Denis on Wednesday to discuss
ways to oppose incineration.
The county produces 440,000 tonnes of waste each year and landfill space is
running out.
Earlier this month Cornish food producers spoke out against a new incinerator,
claiming it could adversely affect tourism and the local economy.
Monday, 10 October 2005
Food group's incinerator worries
Food producers in Cornwall are worried about the possibility
of a new incinerator being built in clay country to burn the county's waste.
The Cornish Food and Drink Group is concerned about the impact it could have
on food and tourism and has called for more public discussion.
The county produces 440,000 tonnes of waste each year and landfill space is
running out.
Cornwall County Council said no decision will be made before January.
Wider debate
It said councillors have been examining other possibilities.
Phil Ugalde from the Cornish Food and Drink Group said: "Whether the
decision has been made on the single option remains to be seen.
"But they appear quite resolute on pursuing the one option and we're quite
concerned about that and would like the debate opened out."
The group said the long-term implications of an incinerator also had to be
considered on a county which relies heavily on tourism and is known for its
food and clean beaches.
If plans for an incinerator are approved, it will probably not be built until
2009 or 2010.
Monday, 12 September 2005
Council argues for compost plant
Restormel councillors are trying to come up with an alternative
to the building of one huge incinerator for the county's rubbish in their borough.
They believe a plant composting Cornwall's garden and kitchen waste would drastically
reduce the amount which needs to be burned.
They say they are "uncomfortable" at the thought of the incinerator
appearing in the borough.
The incinerator is the preferred option for the county council.
Teams of councillors have already visited Devon and Somerset and set off soon
for Neath in Wales and Hampshire.
They will examine Hampshire's idea of smaller incinerators dotted around the
county, cutting down on the distance the waste is hauled.
They are also considering a composting plant which they reckon would greatly
increase recycling and reduce the size of any incinerator.
Tuesday, 14 June, 2005
Incinerator to cure waste crisis
County councillors have voted to go ahead with plans for a
waste incinerator in Cornwall.
The county, which has been discussing the plans for four years, produces 440,000
tonnes of waste each year and landfill space is running out.
Some councillors had called new members to be given time to gather more information,
but were told delays could cost £100m in added landfill tax.
Companies from Spain and France are competing for the 25-year contract.
No site has been chosen for the incinerator, but some residents have already
expressed concerns about lorries and pollution.
It will probably not be built until 2009 or 2010.
Thursday, 31 March, 2005
Waste disposal restrictions start
The amount of rubbish going to Cornwall's landfill sites will
be strictly restricted from Friday.
The county council will be charged £150 for every tonne it goes over
the new waste limits set by the government.
It is predicted the county, at its current rate, will exceed its limit for
2005-06 by 15,000 tonnes, triggering a penalty of £2.25m.
The new scheme is designed to reduce the amount of biodegradable waste being
buried in the ground.
Incinerator plans
Cornwall has relied very heavily on its two landfill
tips at United Downs, near St Day, and Connon Bridge, near Liskeard.
The United Downs tip is 15m (49ft) deep and has a volume of 250,000 cubic
metres (8.8m cubic ft) - the equivalent of 125 Olympic-sized swimming pools
- but the council predicts it will be full by 2010.
The council is currently considering three bids for a £500m contract
to collect and dispose of the county's rubbish.
Most of the current bids include plans for an incinerator somewhere in central
Cornwall, but it would probably be 2009-10 before such a plant was built.
In the meantime, the council has been touring the county with a roadshow,
urging people to carry out more recycling and composting.
The government limits have come under fire from environmental groups, who
say it will mean more rubbish being burnt, rather than sent to landfill.
Friends of the Earth wants to see higher recycling targets brought in, along
with a tax on burning waste and the removal of current financial incentives
for incineration.
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