Dear Waveney Valley Blog
When is a proposal not a proposal – sounds like an April fools joke doesn’t it? But who is being taken for a fool?
Suffolk County Council are on the brink of adopting a strategic policy document that will guide where waste will be dealt with in Suffolk for the next 15 years. So what you say?
Well, a strategic site has been identified at Eye for the processing of commercial and industrial waste on a strategic scale. The site extends to 200 acres. Various politicians have publically stated that there are no current proposals for waste processing at Eye.
No Planning applications maybe, but the planning process is now a plan-led system. Policies are agreed first and then proposals have to be determined in accordance with the adopted policy. This is a legal requirement. So how can this stance be squared with their policy document?
Given that the relevant policy is titled “WCS4 Proposed sites for Strategic Waste Residual Treatment Facilities” I believe it is fair to ask when is a proposal not a proposal – it seems when it is a strategic policy that continues “Favourable consideration will be given to proposals for Strategic Residual Waste Treatment facilities(annual capacity 100,000 tonnes or more) within the following locations:
C) Area of Search Site 27, Eye Airfield Industrial Estate, Eye and Yaxley..”
In the Diss Express Friday 3 February 2011 the public were supposed to be reassured that there are no proposals for such uses on Eye Airfield. I will leave it up to the public to decide which interpretation is the most rational!
From little policies large waste plants grow! Just read the policy and decide!
http://www.suffolk.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/6252E773-0C0A-461D-81B9-D9DC32F011E1/0/Chapter1to7.pdf
If you are concerned about the implications of this policy for environmental, economic or sociological reasons then write to your MP and the County Council to have your voice heard. Further details are found on the Suffolk Preservation Society Website at
http://www.suffolksociety.org/Campaigns/
A protest march against the policy is being held at Eye Airfield on Sunday 27th February 2011 at noon. Dr Dan Poulter MP will make an address. Details attached.
Fiona Cairns
(Mother and concerned Waveney Valley Resident)
