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Calls to defer decision on Wisbech mega incinerator plans as consultation goes online




Campaigners fighting to stop a mega incinerator being built in Wisbech fear the company behind the plans will take advantage of the coronavirus pandemic to further their cause.

Wisbech Without Incineration - WisWin leading campaigner Virginia Bucknor is calling on local MP Steve Barclay to join neighbouring, South West Norfolk MP Liz Truss in calling for the decision on MVV Environment Ltd's plans to be deferred to allow for proper consultation.

MVV were forced to cancel a host of consultation events it had planned for Wisbech this month amid concerns over the Covid-19 outbreak.

MP Liz Truss has written to the Secretaries of State for Business and Planning asking for a deferment.
MP Liz Truss has written to the Secretaries of State for Business and Planning asking for a deferment.

Instead the German-owned company plans to continue with its consultation online, but Mrs Bucknor fears such a move could prevent many opponents from giving their feedback as they do not have access to the internet.

In a statement issued on Thursday (9) Paul Carey, MVV's manager director, said: "We will continue with the current consultation exercise, which ends on May 4, and all feedback received will be collated and responses recorded in a feedback report.

"After the coronavirus restrictions have been lifted, we will launch a second phase of consultation which will include rearranged exhibition ebents and doctument inspection locations. Additional feedback will be collected during this second period and will also be included, along with responses, in the feedback report."

Leading campaigner Virginia Bucknor pictured at anti-incinerator gathering in Wisbech.
Leading campaigner Virginia Bucknor pictured at anti-incinerator gathering in Wisbech.

Mrs Bucknor has written to the planning inspectorate which will make the final decision on whether or not the 53 megawatt waste incinerator can be built on land off Algores Way, to raise concerns that MVV are allowed to stick to the original consultation timeline.

She said: "We wish to raise our grave concern that no consultation is taking place with residents and that the Planning Inspectorate are of the view that consultation via email is acceptable.

"Wisbech is a small rural town and many people do not have digital communication in the form of emails and social media. This is well known locally but was evident when people queued up when we held a Rally in Wisbech Market Place in February when we had a paper petition for people to sign.

Paul Carey, managing director of MVV Environment. (33433861)
Paul Carey, managing director of MVV Environment. (33433861)

"Over 200 people signed. We subsequently took the petition to Tesco's early in March for two hours on two occasions and we received nearly 1,000 signatures. When checking with residents to ensure they hadn't already signed our MP's petition, many people confirmed they had no computer.

We are therefore asking for a delay and have also written to the leader of Cambridgeshire County Council and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mayor raising our concerns and asking for them to request a deferment.

"We appreciate that there are legal time limits but in this unprecedented time because of the coronavirus epidemic, this seems a reasonable request."

Campaigners want MP Steve Barclay, who spoke at a rally against the incinerator, to join calls for a deferment.
Campaigners want MP Steve Barclay, who spoke at a rally against the incinerator, to join calls for a deferment.

Mrs Bucknor also wants Steve Barclay, MP for North East Cambs, who has vehemently spoken against the incinerator to add his voice to the call for a deferment.

She said: "Liz Truss has confirmed she has written to both the Secretary of State for Business and Planning to ask for a deferment. We would like Mr Barclay to do the same if he has not already done so."

In an email to a constituent Ms Truss, the Secretary of State for International Trade, wrote: "I fully understand your concerns and have called on the Secretaries of State for Business and Planning to put a hold on the proposed incinerator until such a time that it can be properly scrutinised by the public."

Mrs Bucknor concluded: "We are attempting to get the Secretary of State to defer this dreadful proposal. He is currently replying to people that it's down to the Planning Inspectorate. But the Planning Inspectorate say it's a legal timetable that MVV will have to abide by. MVV say that because it's a legal requirement they will evidence by replying to emails. So no consultation, which is also legally required.

What the incinerator will look like from Halfpenny Lane. (20619355)
What the incinerator will look like from Halfpenny Lane. (20619355)

"So we need to evidence to the Secretary of State that due to this unprecedented virus that the procedures to rush this through are not being adhered to.

"Your help is vital. We can't stop this with just a few people. It needs many of us as we will all be affected by this if we let it go ahead.

"Here's the address to write to: https://www.mvv-medworthchp.co.uk/get-in-touch"

The Citizen have approached Mr Barclay for a comment but have not yet heard back from him.



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