Dear Supporter,

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to opposing the Swadlincote Incinerator. Your efforts have been crucial, but we now face a critical moment in our campaign with the planning meeting just 3 days away.

South Derbyshire's Planning Report: A Damning Verdict
The recently released district council planning report strongly opposes the incinerator. Here are some key quotes from South Derbyshire District Council planning (SDDC):

• "There is an inability to mitigate the harm to the landscape as result of this development including the 60m high chimney. It is considered that this facility if built would be totally alien to the character of South Derbyshire which would cause irreparable damage to our status within the National Forest."
• "There are harmful impacts on local amenity with noise, emissions and the overall detrimental impact on residents particularly in relation to the scale of the development with harmful impacts on established woodland."
• "The proposal if approved would lead to a significant additional industrialisation of the area, which is not justified given the alternative facilities with a fully regulated operational gas incinerator at Drakelow less than 3km from this site."
• "Concerns and objections received from members of the public included impacts of associated lorries, implications on Walton bypass and Chetwynd bridge, increase in movement of heavy vehicles, effects on the busy A444, and increase in traffic noise and damage."
• "The Planning Committee concluded on the initial submission that there are significant concerns in regard to the potential impacts of the proposed Swadlincote Resource Recovery Park on access and highway safety related grounds."
• "The applicants own evidence is that the impacts on the landscape have moderate to major impact on the local environment."
• "The points put forward by the applicant in favour of the scheme fall substantially short of justifying the development with such visually intrusive and harmful impacts on the landscape."
• "It is not considered that there is any demonstrable need for 3 incinerators within a matter of miles of each other or indeed the two subject to this application and the operative site at Drakelow."
• "Objection is raised to the widening of the site with the new boundary causing harm to the environment. The site under consideration overlaps with priority habitat and is classified as a Local Wildlife Site (DWT) under the reference of Ref. SD304."
• "There is a lack of information in relation to tree loss including details of trees already felled, with an ecological emergency having been declared by SDDC."
• "South Derbyshire District Council categorically objects on this basis."

Despite these strong objections, the Derbyshire County Council planning officer is still recommending approval. 

Urgent Call to Action: Attend the Committee Meeting

Date: Monday, 2nd September

Time: 14:30

Location: County Hall, Matlock

We understand this timing and location may be inconvenient, but a strong show of solidarity can make a powerful statement. If you can attend, please let us know via this form: https://forms.gle/BefhgEYAXScHXrjY9 . 

Additional Ways to Help

• Share Our Campaign Poster: Many people are still unaware of this planning application. Help spread the word by sharing our poster, especially in local communities. Download the poster here
• Sign and Share Our Petition: If you haven't already, please sign our petition and encourage others to do the same.
• Join Our Facebook Group: For updates and to connect with other supporters, join our Facebook group "Swadlincote Against Waste Incineration".
• Spread the Word: Talk to your neighbours, friends, and family about the potential impact of this incinerator on our community.

Together, we can protect our environment and community from this harmful development. Thank you for your continued support.

Best wishes,  

Tracey 

On behalf of Swadlincote Against Waste Incineration