Packed meeting here's MP speak against Wisbech incinerator and why plans are 'deeply flawed'
Warnings over highly toxic airborne particles were given on Friday night by a battled-hardened campaigner who successfully beat plans for an incinerator in West Norfolk.
Martin Little from King’s Lynn Without Incinerator (KLWIN) was a guest speaker at a packed public meeting in Wisbech, on Friday night hosted by the town council to explain the implications of proposals for a 50 megawatt burner off Algores Way.
MP Steve Barclay along with town Councillor Steve Tierney and county Councillor Ian Bates also spoke out against MVV Environment's plans to build the mega incinerator, on a site close to Cold Store.
Mr Little told the meeting, at the Queen Mary Centre, which was attended by nearly 300 people, that KLWIN were embarrassed to learn about the Wisbech plan.
He warned of the dangers by pm2.5 particles that are emitted by waste incinerators.
And explained: “Pm2.5 were recognised as a serious health hazard and increased death rate in the population.”
He said the incinerator filters were only 60 per cent effective at capturing these particles and materials such as lead, mercury and other highly dangerous elements such as Cadmium can be attached to them during the burning process.
Mr Little said: “Things that can harm you cannot always be smelt, heard or felt.”
Medworth Ward councillor Steve Tierney told the meeting he was hoping to get colleagues on Cambridgeshire County Council to support his motion to oppose the incinerator, which had already been backed by Wisbech Town and Fenland District Councils.
He also said the town's roads would struggle with the hundreds of lorry journeys to deliver waste to the incinerator.
Coun Tierney spoke about the visual impact of the 95m high chimney, a "throwback to the industrial revolution", which would deter tourism, commerce and potential home owners.
He said: "It is bigger than Ely Cathedral and that will be the main thing you see on arriving in the town."
Mr Barclay reiterated his previous claims that the incinerator plans are deeply flawed, and told the meeting he felt the company was trying to get around the local planning process by building a 50 megawatt scheme, which would have to be determined by central government.
The North East Cambridgeshire MP also once again highlighted concerns about building an incinerator so close to three schools and on land that is classed as a flood risk, without offering an alternative site.
Mr Barclay also added the plan would undermine the town's railway bid as it would effectively cut off the route.
He said: "I do not believe they are complying with national planning policy and secondly, both the size and location would fundamentally undermine the vision we have for our town."
