Dear Supporters,

You may have seen on social media or in the press, that the incinerator is progressing to County Planning. It is to be heard at Derbyshire County Council planning because it is a waste application and they are our planning authority. 

This marks a critical juncture and I'm devastated that the Planning Officer has recommended approval of the incinerator. While this news may feel disheartening, we must redouble our efforts.

Here's how you can help:

1) Share the heck out of this petition: If you haven't already, please share our petition with friends, family, and on social media. Every signature strengthens our voice. Derbyshire seems to be becoming a soft spot for energy and waste applications, so this concerns more than just South Derbyshire residents. Health data suggests impacts on people upto 10km away from an incinerator (the Air Assessment even admits it) - this impacts Leicestershire and Staffordshire residents too. 

Please share the petition to symbolise the public's discontent with the application. 

2) Attend the meeting: The planning committee meeting details are found here: https://democracy.derbyshire.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?MId=1659&x=1 Your presence will demonstrate the strength of community concern about this proposal. 

3) Submit a complaint: Complain to South Derbyshire County Council as to why their planning report from the November 2023 meeting where they rejected the incinerator was not submitted to Derbyshire County Council in good time. As a result, the pack for this planning meeting has gone out saying SDDC Planning had no comments. The committee agreed to object to this. Complaint email address for SDDC: customer.experience@southderbyshire.gov.uk

Here are just some of the objections and issues with the incinerator: 

• Size and Visual Impact: The facility would be 60 metres tall, with 40 metres visible above the tree line. The Planning Officer's report acknowledges this would cause "significant harm to the visual amenity and character of the area" (para 4.281). This conflicts with South Derbyshire Local Plan Policy BNE4.
  Air Quality: The development would increase NO2 levels along the A444, which already has air quality issues. The application's Air Quality Assessment confirms potential impacts up to 10km away, potentially conflicting with National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) Paragraph 186.
• Traffic: The application states there would be up to 244 additional HGV movements per day on local roads (122 in, 122 out). This raises concerns under Derby and Derbyshire Waste Local Plan Policy W2.
• Wildlife: The proposal would result in the loss of 4.69 hectares of the Cadley Hill Railway Area Local Wildlife Site, as confirmed in the Ecology report. This conflicts with NPPF Paragraph 180 on biodiversity net gain.
• Noise and Disturbance: The Environmental Statement confirms 24/7 operations, with the nearest homes just 150 metres away. The Noise Assessment predicts "significant" long-term impacts, potentially conflicting with NPPF Paragraph 185.
• Need: The Planning Officer's report states the applicant has only provided a "relatively generic" case for need (para 4.114). This fails to meet the requirements of National Planning Policy for Waste Paragraph 7, which requires a quantified assessment of need when not consistent with an up-to-date Local Plan.
• Climate Impact: The applicant's own figures show the electricity produced would have a carbon intensity of 784 kg CO2/MWh, compared to the current UK grid average of 171 kg CO2/MWh. This means it will release more CO2 than gas-fired energy generation! This conflicts with the NPPF's aim to support the transition to a low-carbon future (Paragraph 152).

Thank you for your continued support.

Tracey 

Link to news about the incinerator: https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/local-news/swadlincote-150-million-incinerator-set-9505001