Conservatives turn down the chance to reject an incinerator at the New Barnfield Site

9.43.51am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 11th Sep 2009

Incinerator

Conservative County Councillors yesterday refused a chance to exclude New Barnfield as a potential site for an incinerator. At a meeting of the Hertfordshire County Council's Waste Management Cabinet Panel, local Lib Dem county councillor Malcolm Cowan tabled a motion to the meeting suggesting now was the time to exclude New Barnfield as a potential site for the proposed incinerator and tell all potential operators of this. The meeting was attended by around 30 concerned residents of Hatfield.

All three Lib Dem representatives on the panel voted to abandon New Barnfield, whilst all but one Conservative councillor voted to keep New Barnfield as what officers called the preferred site elsewhere in the papers to the meeting.

As usual these days, there was no Labour councillor present. Stuart Pile, county councillor for Hatfield South which includes the proposed site, was present but did not speak.

Lib Dem County Councillor Malcolm Cowan, who proposed the motion, commented 'The outcome of this vote clearly shows that the Conservatives who matter are ploughing ahead regardless of local opposition across the political spectrum. What really annoys me most is the statement that 'the market' will decide where the incinerator goes or if an alternative technology is used. This is a decision that should be made by elected councillors, not some multi-national company.'

'It's clear the Tories want an incinerator at New Barnfield, despite the damage it will cause to the special school for autistic children next door. This is why I believe New Barnfield is the wrong site for ANY waste facility.'

Conservative Councillor Derek Ashley who chairs the Waste Panel commented "The interests of the County must come first".

Lib Dem Prospective MP Paul Zukowskyj said "We've led the campaign against the Conservative plans for an incinerator at New Barnfield from the very start, and again we've demonstrated we really care about Welwyn Hatfield residents by ensuring questions are asked and decision-makers are held to account for their actions. Our position is clear, no incinerator at New Barnfield. Lets hope the message is finally getting through, we will not stop until the Conservative-dominated County Council abandons this crazy plan."

ENDS

Notes for editors:

Conservative Councillor Bill Storey abstained from the vote. He has consistently abstained on this issue as he believes his role on the planning committee of the local parish council would be compromised should he express a preference before any application is presented