Thank you for signing the petition to raise awareness of the proposed incinerator in Swadlincote (Derbyshire). Here's an update on what's happening and how to get involved.

What's happening:

• The application is currently pending a decision by Derbyshire County Council.
• South Derbyshire District Council has delayed the application hearing multiple times, and it is currently indefinitely postponed.
• There are reported complaints to Derbyshire County Council and the Environment Agency for multiple violations by the incinerator landowners (Willshee's). This apparently includes breaches of multiple planning and permit conditions - including traffic movement numbers, surface water from the current waste site going into streams, light and noise complaints, and the lack of flood compensation measures.
• There are believed to still be a number of complaints into Derbyshire County Council about their handling of this by a number of local people - including failure to respond to FOIs and their 19-year-old waste local plan (which should have been updated several times over this period). 

Why it matters:

• The Waste Local Plan in Derbyshire is almost two decades old and does not align with current planning policies. See full info here
• Residents are left unprotected without clear plans and locations for potential waste sites.
• A peer review in 2009 deemed Derbyshire's waste development plans "unsound for public examination", yet no significant changes have been made since then.
• The proposed incinerator will destroy five wildlife sites and habitats for GC Newts, Bats, Badgers and Grass Snakes. It will be seen by those travelling the country and farm roads around Caldwell, Rosliston, Stanton and Stapenhill. And it makes a mockery of ££,£££,£££ of National Forest investment. 

How you can help:

I'd welcome your suggestions! 

• Contact your local representatives (district councillors (including prospective ones, MPs and County Councillors) and voice your concerns.
• Keep up to date with current policy and government agendas on the environment and submit additional representations. The Environmental Improvement Plan was published by the Government after this petition launched - which aims to cut waste dramatically (with lots of incineration over-capacity locally and nationally this is another reason not to build another) and pledges to look after our natural environment better. 
• Share this information with others to keep the conversation going.
• Comment on the application here since it appears to be open for comment still. 
• Complain about the waste plan here; the letter linked here should help. 

Thank you again for your support.