Motion Brought to Full Council Meeting
This week at the full Trafford Council meeting, a motion was brought forward by the Conservative Group, which stated:
This Council deplores the recent action of Peel Energy in appealing the decision of Trafford Council’s Planning Committee to refuse planning permission for a bio-mass incinerator in Davyhulme. This was a unanimous decision of the planning committee on the grounds of the perceived threat to the health of Trafford residents.
The council demands that Peel Energy reconsiders its decision to appeal the refusal and withdraws their appeal forthwith.
This motion was tabled by Davyhulme East Councillor, Lisa Cooke, who expressed a strong emotional case against the incinerator and backed her statements up with robust evidence. She said, “I believe that Peel Energy should rethink their plans on the basis of sheer public outcry, in the spirit of working with the local community and not against the people.”
Both the Labour and Liberal-Democrat Groups supported the motion and Jane Brophy said, “The Liberal Democrats fully endorse and support the motion and would like Peel Energy to withdraw their appeal forth-with.”
The Labour Group felt that Trafford Council should give out a stronger statement and proposed an amendment which said:
Further this Council resolves to investigate using its powers under the Sustainable Communities Act to petition the Government to change the planning system so that developers cannot appeal to central government to overturn a local planning decision.
Urmston Councillor, Kevin Procter, spoke to the amendment and stated, “It is outrageous that Peel Energy have ignored the council’s decision and ultimately the wishes of the people in Trafford.”
Councillors from all three parties made representations at the meeting, and expressed their grave concern at the impacts that the incinerator would make to the quality of life of Trafford residents. They referred to the chimney height being too small; pollution in the Air Quality Management Area already exceeding the legal limits; the perceived public health risks; and the impact upon the regeneration of the Borough of Trafford.
BCAG members attended the meeting to witness the fantastic support of all the councillors. It was extremely encouraging that the unanimous, cross-party support represented public opinion in the borough. BCAG is very grateful for all of the support that we have received from all councillors during our campaign.
All councillors in the chamber agreed with the amended motion and it was agreed that they would continue to support and help us with the forthcoming Public Inquiry. We will continue to campaign for as long as it takes with the help of both Trafford Council and the residents of Trafford.
I am horrified that with all the information given, Peel is still going ahead with plans to build this site. I was recently in Wythenhawe Hospital and my ward was next to a wood pulping company which cause constant irritation of my throat & lungs! I therefore feel the residents of Davyhulme need our support, they already have the odours from the sewage plant which should use deodorizers but DO NOT! My support is 100%.
Given the built up area and existing air quality issues (all 12 Heavy metals found, Arsenic at the top level) residents are already subjected to enough pollution to sink a ship from the M60. Diesel emissions are a known carcinogen.
Diesel equipment, critical to the plant’s operation will add significant pollution, not only at the plant, but also on the roads in Davyhulme an AQMA.
Diesel exhausts do cause Cancer…. Says WHO
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18415532
Half of all inhaled diesel soot gets stuck in the lungs…..Science Codex
http://www.sciencecodex.com/half_of_inhaled_diesel_soot_gets_stuck_in_the_lungs-94080
Burning biomass could lead to significant increases in emissions of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and sulfur dioxide and have severe impacts on the health of children, older adults and people with lung diseases. – American Lung Association
The chimney stack 44.23m is too low. Ideally, said the Environment Agency at our meeting with them on 12/06/12, it should be between 60-100m high. It is so low because of City Airport. This is unacceptable, it will pollute the people in an already polluted area even more because of this Peel owned airport.
Toxic pollution and particulates from the incinerator will be trapped in the Mersey basin, i.e. it is the WRONG SITE for any additional polluting industry.
Pollution control devices do little to prevent ultra-fine parcels from being released. These particles are the most dangerous particles for health. It is now beyond question that increasing levels of these particulates are associated with increased mortality.
The area surrounding the proposed BREP site has now become very highly developed. It was acknowledge in
2001 by TMBC and Salford Council that the air quality would not meet national objectives. Approval of two new
type A combustion processes plus other local developments mean the area is now over saturated.
If a local authority finds any places where the objectives are not likely to be achieved, it must declare an Air Quality Management Area there. This area could be just one or two streets, or it could be much bigger.
Then the local authority will put together a plan to improve the air quality – a Local Air Quality Action Plan.
http://aqma.defra.gov.uk/action-plans/GM%20AQAP%202006.pdf
2.1 Statutory Obligations
Local authorities have statutory duties for local air quality management (LAQM)
under the Environment Act (1995) and the subsequent National Air Quality
Strategy (2000) and Air Quality Regulations.
Where exceedances are predicted and where there is likelihood
that the public will be exposed to elevated levels, local authorities have a duty to
declare Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA) and produce an Air Quality
Action Plan (AQAP).