Just when you thought it
was safe
.... landfill at FLB is on the agenda again!!
· West
Sussex County Council (WSCC) is undertaking another waste planning
exercise
· The
FLB site in Freshfield Lane has been included on a list of potential sites
for inert landfill.
· A
consultation period runs until 12th February 2010 (this is an
extended date, following FAG’s request. No further extension is likely).
The general public are invited to make their views known to WSCC (see
below).
What this means
Once again, we have to defeat the FLB proposal by maximising the quality
and quantity of opposition.
It appears that the result of the planning appeal in 2007 has been
forgotten, or ignored. Some of the objections to the previous application
for non-inert landfill will not apply to a proposal for inert
landfill. However, road safety, the inadequacy of the local roads and the
protection of the AONB, all of which were powerful reasons for the
previous refusal, will still apply.
Why has the site been included in the new list ?
We do not know yet! WSCC themselves spent a considerable sum of money in
2007 helping to prove beyond all doubt that the site was unsuitable for
landfill so it is surprising that they have allowed the site back into
consideration.
To illustrate the point, this is an extract from WSCC's press release
following the Inspector's decision in 2007
"West Sussex County Council has welcomed a Government Inspector’s
decision to refuse an appeal to turn Freshfield Lane Brickworks into a
landfill site.
..
Frank Wilkinson, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for
Strategic Planning, said:
“We welcome the Inspector’s decision because it is an endorsement
of our ongoing opposition to the proposal.”"
However, the site has been included in the initial long list and therefore
we have no choice but to fight it
ACTION REQUESTED
· Please write giving your personal
objections to West Sussex County Council as part of the consultation
exercise.
· Spread the word and get as many of
your friends and family to write as well.
Write to:
Minerals and Waste Policy Team, West Sussex County Council, County Hall,
Tower Street, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1RG.
Or email
mwdf@westsussex.gov.uk
Key points
FAG will be making the following major points:
- The lengthy and thorough Public Inquiry
in 2007 which rejected landfill at FLB proved beyond doubt that the site
is unsuitable.
- Reference to the Inspector’s decision of
2007 (Appeal Ref: APP/P3800/A/06/2007907) makes it absolutely clear that
the local road network is not suitable for additional HGV traffic and
that the establishment of a landfill site in the AONB, when alternative
locations exist, would be contrary to National Planning Guidelines.
Further Details
Extensive details of the consultation and background analysis can be
found on the WSCC website at the following link;
www.westsussex.gov.uk/mwdf
Note that the FLB site is being considered for inert landfill. Last time
the proposal was for non-inert landfill. The issues of HGV traffic and
intrusion in the AONB are largely the same for both types of landfill.
In laymans terms, 'inert' covers waste categories that do not decompose
, so rubble for example.
Freshfield Action Group
FAG has been reactivated. In the period to 12 February we will be
lobbying and leafleting. The goal is to maximise the quality and number
of objections to the inclusion of the FLB in the plan process.
We are unsure how long and detailed the current campaign will need to
be, however FAG is keen to hear from anyone who has time or skills to
volunteer. Please contact Elaine Seear on 01825 790912 or at e.seear@virgin.net
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