Boost for Anti-Incinerator Campaign

12.00.00am GMT Fri 16th Jan 2009

Welwyn Hatfield Liberal Democrats have been campaigning for over a year now against the blatantly inappropriate selection by Conservative-led Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) of New Barnfield for the site of a new 'Heat from waste' plant - basically a souped-up incinerator.

The local Liberal Democrats have always said the site was poor because it is on the doorstep of a special needs school and will mean large trucks going past the school all day, every day. Even HCC's very own site assessment ranks it poorly compared to other sites.

At a recent full county council meeting at County Hall, the site went from being 'the reference' site to being 'the preferred' site. Local Liberal Democrat County Councillor Malcolm Cowan asked the chair of the meeting why it was now the 'preferred site'. There was no answer worthy of the name.

Liberal Democrat County Group Leader Chris White has now joined the ranks of those who view the choice as wrong.

Chris said 'Having visited the site, I am far from convinced that this is where the so-called Heat from Waste unit should be. It will be a massive development with 42-ton lorries coming from across Hertfordshire to drop off waste. I could see how badly the school would be affected, and it is criminal to ignore the head's views.'

Chris continued 'We know that the county council's own assessment showed there were better sites. The council should stop relying on New Barnfield just because they own it and it would be convenient for them, and look for the best site.'

Welwyn Hatfield Prospective MP, Paul Zukowskyj asked 'Why has the local Conservative county councillor, Stuart Pile, not spoken out about the change from 'reference' to 'preferred'? He was at the meeting with Malcolm, and has stated publicly that he opposes this development. Is it that his party allegiance comes before his constituents? He needs to make it clear, in public, in private and in council meetings, that he is opposed to the development and do everything he can to stop this barmy plan.'

Paul continued 'I really hope that the Conservatives who run our County Council will finally see sense and stop this development from happening.'