STEERING GROUP LAUNCHED TO VOICE CONCERNS ON WASTE PLANT

Sinfin’s Labour Councillors and local residents have established a steering group to voice the concerns of local people about the location of the proposed waste treatment plant on Sinfin Lane.

One of their first actions has been to compile a list of unanswered questions, which they have submitted to the Council. Please see attached at the foot of this press release.

They are also using the social networking website Facebook to boost their campaign, which has already attracted over 400 members.

Facebook Link> http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=49232330898

The group will be providing information to residents in Sinfin and Osmaston about its progress and is planning further public meetings later in the year.

The group says that it doesn’t oppose the principle of converting waste into energy, but it believes more efforts should first be made to deliver increased recycling.

It will compile evidence about suitable alternative sites and the impact of a plant on Sinfin Lane such as increased traffic, size of the facility and the amount of waste from outside Derby.

The group’s spokesman, Cllr Baggy Shanker, said: “I am concerned that the consultation process still hasn’t begun even though we were told it would commence by the end of January.

“This is a poor start, considering a full planning application is due in April. If public opinion is to be properly considered, people should be given enough time to air their views”.

“I also think there are better sites available, so I’ve written to the council leader asking her to order an immediate review to see if a more suitable location can be found”.

For further details please contact Baggy Shanker at baggy.shanker@derby.gov.uk or on 07966 568992.

The Steering Group is comprised of the following members:

* Joan Spencer Kiran Dhanda Louise Noble Narinder Dhiensa
* Gary Woolley Baggy Shanker Robin Turner Martin Sear
* Scott Thompson Simon Bacon Kevin Baldwin Trevor Barnes
* Bob Hewins

Cont/…

List of Questions submitted to the Council

1. Where is the waste (180,000) coming from, which Councils are involved, how far is the furthest waste travelling?

2. What is the maximum annual and instantaneous load that this plant will handle?

3. What is the minimum annual and instantaneous load that this plant will handle?

4. How many vehicles in total will go into and out of the site on a daily basis?

5. What size will these vehicles be? What size load would they carry?

6. Could you confirm the exact locations of all the surrounding AQMA’s within a 1 mile radius of the proposed site?

7. What impact will this plant and the associated transport have on each of the AQMA’s?

8. What relevance does the new proposed road from Chellaston have to this proposal?

9. What will the emissions be from this plant?

10. What emissions will be permitted from this plant under emergency operation?

11. Who will regulate this plant and monitor its emissions?

12. What evidence is there that the safe emissions levels are actually safe?

13. Why cannot the existing waste site at Raynesway be used?

14. What other sites in Derby & Derbyshire were considered?

15. Why was Sinfin selected over other options available in Derby & Derbyshire?

16. What is the foot print of this site?

17. What will actually be burnt at this plant?

18. Are there any materials that you can say will definitely not be burnt at this plant?