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Protesters Get New Opportunity
From the Basingstoke Extra. Wednesday 24th October, 2001
INCINERATOR PROTESTERS GET A NEW OPPORTUNITY
Anti-burner protesters are to get the chance to have another shot at the planned controversial Chineham incinerator.
Onyx Hampshire Ltd, the company that will run the "waste to energy" incinerator off Reading road, has applied to the Environment Agency for an operators license.
In considering whether or not to grant the license, the Environment Agency is consulting local people - and that will give the protesters another chance to have their say.
The new incinerator - on the site of the old one - was given planning permission two years ago, despite objections from Basingstoke council and a 2000-strong petition from anti-burner protesters.
An agency spokesman said: "As part of the decision-making process, local people are invited to supply any information they feel may be relevant to the operation of the plant.
"The purpose of the consultation is to provide the agency with facts and views that we might not otherwise have access to. The closing date for comments to be received is December 10, 2001."
The spokesman added: "Decisions about the need for incinerators - whether and where they are built - and all other matters relating to Hampshire County Council’s waste management policy are issues for the local planning authority and do not form part of the agency consultation ."
The Environment Agency says companies requiring a license under the new pan-European Pollution Protection and Control licensing regime must provide a wide range of technical details including the type and quality of emissions, an environmental risk assessment and details of the proposed technology and operating procedures to be used.
The agency spokesman said: "The agency will access the proposal against stringent air emissions standards and consult with health experts to obtain information for the final decisions.
"The agency has four months in which to reach a decision - although the clock stops if further information is required from the operators."
The Chineham incinerator - due to be running at the end of next year-will have the capacity to burn 90,000 tonnes of rubbish a year.
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