'Do not fear waste transfer station', says councillor
A LEADING councillor has sought to allay fears about the proposed waste transfer station in Kirton.
More than 400 people have signed a petition against the plan to build the facility on Kirton Distribution Park off the A16.
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More than 400 people have signed a petition against plans to build a waste transfer station in Louth.
But Lincolnshire County Council's member for waste services, Councillor Lewis Strange, has now released a photograph of a similar site in Louth and a statement on the proposed Kirton project.
He said: "After seeing the front page story in the Target last week about the proposed waste transfer station in Kirton, I thought it was crucial that I make a number of reassurances to your readers.
"First of all, the photograph used on the front page of a pile of rubbish should not in any way be seen as a representation of what a waste transfer station would look like.
"A facility currently exists in Louth. It is an enclosed industrial shed. Cleanliness and safety are our paramount priorities and at our Louth site – which has been running successfully for three years – there are no views of unsightly rubbish, no smells emitted and no problems with rodents at all.
"I also wish to emphasise that the proposed location of this transfer station is still very much under investigation and discussion.
"If an application is made, it will be determined by the local authority's planning and regulation committee following a formal and legal process which gives all interested parties the right to express their views.
"I again reiterate that no formal decisions have been made as to where the Boston area Waste Transfer Station will be located.
"Nonetheless, the building of a waste transfer station somewhere within a reasonable distance of Boston is essential to enable the council to effectively operate Lincolnshire's new Energy From Waste facility to be built in Lincoln over the next few years.
"As part of our development of options for waste transfer stations, we are assessing the site at Kirton among others, to ascertain the most appropriate location taking everything – including local views – into account.
"I therefore sincerely hope that this dispels any misunderstandings and reassures readers of our very best intentions, as we strive to deal with Lincolnshire's waste in the most effective way for the taxpayer and to create a cleaner and greener county for the benefit of us all."
Comments
by ranza1
Thursday, September 08 2011, 9:53PM
“The recent Echo reports on waste transfer projects highlight serious anomalies in data provided by the Authorities. The report on Sleaford waste transfer station includes Council prediction on waste increase but recent audited returns from District reveals falling household waste levels and rising recycling resulting in 2015 targets being met. We see reports that Councils in the UK are now achieving 70% recycling which should obviously be the benchmark for all and will impact on the Hykeham EFW viability.
It is noted that Sheffield EFW is already suffering 50,000 tonnes shortfall requiring extended haulage to satisfy needs and also means they lose ability to upcycle waste, reduce costs and minimise environmental impact.
A report on the Hykeham EFW details the scheduled annual downtime on the plant is increased from 15 days to 31 days, with specified 11 day bunker capacity it would appear the feeder stations will be required to store waste for protracted periods exacerbating odour problems. Embracing alternative superior waste streaming would appear to have removed need for these controversial waste stations.
It is noted the proposed hazardous waste site to accommodate ash from Hykeham plant includes capacity to import thousands of tonnes of hazardous waste from outside the County creating further danger to health and environment.
Segregation of waste at source to prevent contamination would facilitate superior waste streaming and allow preferred processing maximising energy gain and minimising environmental impact. The decision to follow the totally inflexible Sheffield incinerator example indicates expensive future for waste management in the County. The proposed revisions to recycling facilities in the County would appear to be geared to the needs of the EFW plant although I understand the site choice to the West of the County facilitates future import of waste for incineration from adjacent Counties. Not that this is of any consolation to Lincoln residents downwind of the plant as they are guaranteed to suffer degradation of air quality equal to billions of extra vehicle km per year in the locality plus impact of hazardous ingredients in the emissions.
Where is the due diligence and duty of care ?”