Prominent People of Trafford Show Support for BCAG’s Aim to Stop Davyhulme Incinerator

The Breathe Clean Air Group has been in touch with Councillors, MPs and the Mayor as we wanted to give them an opportunity to express their support for BCAG ahead of Saturday’s protest march. Here are a number of responses that we have had so far.

Councillor Michael Cordingley

It’s been a long journey since you first approached me for advice about planning procedures within Trafford. I now feel I should be approaching you for advice. We’ve come a long way.

But the issues that spurred us to get involved and organise against this plant all those months ago have not changed, The pile of evidence may have grown into a mountain. But at the core this is an affirmation of an inalienable right to have clean air to breathe into our lungs. We recognised this at the very start of this and your choice of a name to this fantastic group could not have been better chosen.

We have learned along the way of the history of incineration has been one of all too believable assurance being replaced by denial and eventually replacement by a new super-cleaner generation of incinerators to replace the discredited ones that they still refuse to accept caused problems in the first place. And that cycle has been repeated time and time again.

We have also learned of the inequalities of health here within Trafford and the correlation between a variety of factors including both poverty and air quality. And we now know all too well that the M60 is the greatest polluter of all.

But this group lives in the real world. It is its greatest strength. The group has always dealt with the here and now. The M60 is here to stay for decades at the very least. Trafford Park is here to stay as well. And our air quality is not good, particularly for those alongside the motorway. We have always asserted that the air quality deficit should not be a green light to developers to pile a few more grams of poison into our air. The ‘they won’t notice the difference’ attitude from developers has got to stop. The fact that we’re already over the limit for nitrous oxides should not be an invitation to have more blown out at us. We should be working on ways to reduce our own emissions not increasing them.

This has been an inspiring campaign from the start (and I desparately hope), to the finish. We still have threats before we get to the winning line. The Government’s new planning framework and it’s presumption in favour of developments is a worrying prospect. It would be tragic if after all this and our case proved, new mis-guidance meant we were treated as an irrelevance at the end of this. So it’s vital that we we all turn out yet again on Oct 1st to make our voice heard loudly in ears that matter and to make it clear that we will know who to hold to account if our voices are ignored.

You have been truly inspiring. See you next week

Councillor Dolores O’Sullivan

I just want to add my full support to your campaign and thank you for fantastic work you are doing, and also to say I agree with everything Mike has said, well done and please keep up the good work.

Councillor Joanne Bennett

I couldn’t agree more. I am sorry I can’t join you for the walk but I totally support what the Group is trying to achieve. People must come before profits and I think this plant does represent a real threat to the health and would have a devastating effect on the quality of life of all residents of Trafford for many years to come. The refusal by Peel to address many of the concerns raised leads me to think they are not being open and transparent about the risks.

MP Kate Green

I’ve been contacted by hundreds of constituents over the past few months, and I can confirm that all but a handful are opposed to the proposed biomass plant at Davyhulme. The Breathe Clean Air campaign has done an enormous amount to make sure their concerns are heard. The government says it wants local people to make local decisions about what happens in their areas. I’m sure there will be a tremendous turnout on Saturday to send a message to government ministers and our local councillors that people don’t want the biomass here.

Councillor David Acton

Just like to add my thanks to that of Mike’s to you and the BCAG team for all the work you have all done to highlight and galvanise support amongst the public against this Incinerator plant. Well done to you all !!! and keep up the great work.

Mayor Jane Bough

Congratulations to your group on your campaign, Peter and I have opposed the application from the start with Peter being a Consultant on Environmental chemistry being a great help questioning the techniques and info being given out by Peel. I am sorry we are not able to join you on your March on Oct 1st this time but wish you very success and if we can help in any other way please let us know.

Councillor Tom Ross

The Breathe Clean Air Group has been been an inspiring force in the local community for the past year. It is little wonder that the proposed incinerator has been kept on the local news agenda given the passion with which you’ve argued on behalf of local residents. Thank you for the infectious enthusiasm with which you’ve taken on this issue and good luck.

Councillor Kevin Proctor

The public opposition to the proposed Biomass plant in Davyhulme continues to grow by the day. The Breathe Clean Air Group has been instrumental in raising the awareness of local people and others to the possible negative consequences for us all, should the plant be built.

I have personally been against the Incinerator from the outset, when I learnt about the possible serious health implications for people in its surrounding areas, including Urmston. Despite the assurances from Peel Energy, there remains serious doubts about the health effects of the airborne pollution that would result from the burning of wood and other waste. I have talked to many Urmston residents over this period, and have encountered almost total opposition to the proposal. In my conversations with residents I have found genuine fear and concern expressed by many people of all different ages and backgrounds, who are worried about the impact upon their heath and well being should the plant be built.

During this time I have got to know the Breathe Clean Air Group well, and I have always been impressed by the dedication, commitment, enthusiasm and perseverance of its members. I would like to publicly give my thanks to them for all their hard work and tenacity in challenging this proposal.

I will definitely be attending the march on the 1st October to re-affirm my support for the Breathe Clean Air Group. We need to send out a strong message to everyone, that we do not want the Incinerator in Davyhulme. Together we can show that local people can really have a say about what happens in their area, and that their views are important.

I will continue to do everything that I can to help the Group in its fight against the proposed Biomass plant.

Thank you again for all your hard work, I am confident that together we will achieve the result we all want – the rejection of the proposed Davyhulme Incinerator, to protect the people of Davyhulme, Urmston, Flixton and surrounding areas.

Labour Candidate Freda Mottley

It is totally disgusting that we are expected to have our air further polluted and the health of our children put at risk by introducing the Biomass Plant.

It is not enough that we endure the pollution from the M60 and the Sewerage Plant.

I can’t be at the walk on Saturday but I was at the last one and I support all who march and hope we succeed in getting the message across, that it is a health hazzard that no one wants in their backyard so it shouldn’t be intrduced into a built up area.

Councillor Michael Cornes

I remember, back in July 2010, my first contact with Jo and Louise Burgess and our meeting in Costa Coffee in Urmston before the Breathe Clean Air Group was born.

As the Breathe Clean Air Group has drawn upon expert scientific advice and continued to grow ever more successful, the campaign has become bigger than I ever imagined, and I remember
• the hundreds of people who have contacted me to produce by far my biggest ever “postbag”
• the first meeting in the Moss Vale pub where a tin was produced for initial funding donations
• the first large public meeting in Christ Church when people stood outside as there was no more standing room
• delivering postcards in the snow and ice to advise residents of the planning reference number and address for letters of objection
• the first march culminating with the rally in Davyhulme Park

When Peel Energy first showed me their intended plans I told them then I was primarily concerned about emissions from the chimney, toxic waste removal from the site, and the increase in traffic caused by ludicrously importing waste material from outside of this area. None of these concerns have been satisfactorily addressed, and my concerns have only increased.

It is named “Barton”, but we all know the area as Davyhulme and that is the adjacent residential area where we live.

It has been labelled “biomass” to make it sound environmentally friendly, but even Peel Energy admit to 5-10% non-biomass and The Environment Agency confirm it is an incinerator!

All local councillors allowed to speak, due to restrictions placed upon members of the Planning Committee, have publicly declared their opposition to this incineration plant being located here.

I had a prior commitment this Saturday, but I have managed to re-arrange and so, of course, I will be with you as I have from the very start of your campaign.

Keep up the good work!

Councillor Christine Turner

Keep up the good work you are doing a great service for the community. We need to keep the pressure on and I am sure that the march tomorrow will do just that. Wanting to build a Biomass Power Station in the middle of a residential area is not right and you have my support. I will see you on the march. Good Luck.

Councillor Andrew Western

Apologies that I couldn’t make the March I have been in London for the last few days. I’d like to congratulate all of you at BCAG on what is a truly inspirational campaign. It is rare to see a community come together in the way you have unified local residents and I wish you every success with the campaign moving forward – I can assure you of my ongoing support.