Surrey Tories dump incinerator on Spelthorne
A special meeting of Surrey's Planning Committee on 30th June approved the building of an incinerator at Charlton Lane. This decision flies in the face of science, logic and common sense and has more to do with where Surrey Conservatives want to dump their waste and retaining grant funding of millions of pounds from DEFRA.
The Conservative-controlled Planning Committee voted to approve the applications. Only the two Liberal Democrats on the committee opposed the proposal. The one Spelthorne Conservative Councillor on the committee abstained - in practice failing to oppose the development.
Spelthorne Council's Planning Committee objected "very strongly" to the plan, but in practice the Conservative controlled Council did nothing practical to try and prevent this damaging development being dumped on Spelthorne. In response to persistent questioning by Lib Dem Councillors the Tory leader of Spelthorne consistently refused to voice any opposition to Surrey's plans. This passive acquiescence was in marked contrast to other Surrey boroughs, who had made their opposition perfectly clear and have been prepared to help fund legal challenges - something Spelthorne refuses to do. The failure of Spelthorne Conservatives over the last three years to actively object has helped to encourage Surrey to get rid of 100,000 tons of waste every year in Spelthorne.
Local residents presented overwhelming evidence against the so-called Eco Park but were completely ignored. This development represents untested technology on an unparalleled scale in an unsuitable location which already has unsatisfactory air quality.
Liberal Democrat Council group leader Ian Beardsmore said "Spelthorne are now shouting long and hard against the incinerator. This is nothing more than a cosmetic U-turn against the idea that they have supported for so long. This change of attitude fools no one. The only way that I will be convinced will be if Spelthorne is prepared to put their money where their mouth is and support the residents in a legal challenge to Surrey's shameful decision."