Local MP Grant Shapps has recently received a petition from members of the local community in protest against the use of the former site of New Barnfield School for a waste-to-energy plant. The site, which is on the edge of Hatfield, was widely mentioned during the Council's consultation on County waste development policies. 

The petition itself contained more than 80 signatures from people living in Millwards, Far End and other nearby areas in opposition to the New Barnfield site for such a facility. The stated objective was to register objection to 'any kind of waste management facility at the Travellers Lane site.' Though the consultation period has now closed, Grant ensured that a copy of the petition was passed onto the Council.

Grant said: 'I was glad to receive this petition on what is a matter of real concern, and I hope that Hertfordshire County Council will note the genuine grievances of the local people.'

Grant has called into question the suitability of the waste consultation in a letter to the County Development Unit at the County Council. He said: 'While of course it's important that Hertfordshire properly disposes of rubbish, it's also vital that any proposed sites are subject to proper public scrutiny. Any such development would have a very real local impact, as the petition makes clear, and I therefore believe that the consultation process should be as open and transparent as possible.'


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