Good Evening, 

Many residents and petitioners have received letters over the last 6 weeks from Derbyshire County Council (DCC). The letter states that more information about R&P Clean Power's application for the Swadlincote Resource Recovery Park (incinerator) has been received. I've had many messages and queries about this and have now managed to get through this information, so thought it would be useful to share. 

If you can, it would be great if you could enter your objections/comments about this update onto the planning website. More on how to do that comes towards the end of this update.

What is the letter about?

It seems that there were several points that DCC wanted the applicant (the potential incinerator company) to confirm, such as whether the traffic was normal on the day the traffic survey was done, and whether any 'heritage (historic) assets' might be impacted by the incinerator. The new information submitted is in response to that - but I do feel it is severely flawed:

• Remember when the A444 was partially closed in Stapenhill for the cycle lane to be put in causing queues for ages? The traffic survey was undertaken at this time of significant disruption - the applicant fails to state this in their update and instead states traffic was normal/neutral. 
• Despite around 700 heritage assets in South Derbyshire, the heritage assessment only identifies two as local to the incinerator (they get to make up their own boundary to decide what's included). And despite the new pictures (here) showing the sheer scale and impact of the incinerator development from these sites, the report concludes that it's not that significant.
• I've summarised the updated information in more detail in this post here

I'm unsure if I've objected to the right sort of thing?

I know some people are worried their initial comments were too emotional.

It's not too late to submit thoughtful objections on key issues like traffic, noise, impact on nature, and ecological impacts. I've included ideas for objections here: key objections to the incinerator - (warning: these are my personal ideas and not professional advice).

How do I add comments or object to the application? 

Add new or more comments by visiting this link:

https://planning.derbyshire.gov.uk/Planning/Display/CW9/1022/22

You may need to click 'continue' at the bottom of the disclaimer page before entering the application page. Click 'Associated documents' to read the planning application'. The new information is in the 'Additional Information' section (check out the second attachment to see the sheer scale of the development on our countryside landscape!). Click 'Comment on this Application' to add your comments and objections. Don't tick the 'is this a petition box'. 

Share

It has been important that the main action isn't focused on getting lots of signatures, because raising formal objections with good points are far more effective.

But, sharing this petition will help to raise awareness so please do keep sharing. 

Before you go

I've also had quite a few questions about another application (view here) on the same area as the incinerator - for the existing Willshee's waste business (which the incinerator would sit next to). 

This application seeks to put right a lot of wrongs on their existing site, including seeking permission for the 750 extra truck movements they have been making each week beyond their permitted 500. 

This news article summarises these 'wrongs' well: https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/local-news/waste-skip-firm-willshees-operating-8696341

This is a separate planning application to the incinerator one (but does state that it supports the incinerator to go ahead). There are some ideas for objections to this other application here. Always ignore the dates on the planning website - if the 'comment on this application' button is there then you can submit comments - this is only a minimum date. 

 

Thank you again for all your support, for caring about our area and for standing up to this. I'm convinced that your actions so far have caused some useful delays!

 

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“Infrastructure is long-term. Decisions taken today on new rail lines, power plants, or road upgrades, will affect lives and livelihoods for decades to come” (National Infrastructure Strategy, 2020, pg.8)

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