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MP piles pressure on incinerator firm bosses

The anti-incinerator campaign stepped up a gear this week as Grant Shapps piled the pressure on the bosses of firms bidding for the contract to build the waste plant.

In a letter to the Chairman of each of the four companies still in the running, the MP requested a high-level meeting, adding that the New Barnfield incinerator plan would be “wholly negative” and “inappropriate” for residents.

Four companies are on the shortlist to build a processing plant for Hertfordshire’s waste. The firms will put forward final plans this year because Government rules mean alternatives to landfill have to be used. The Welwyn Hatfield MP and local campaigners fear New Barnfield is still at the top of the list.

Shapps, who launched the Save New Barnfield campaign last year, said: “We’ve got to stop these companies choosing New Barnfield so that this site doesn’t go through to the next stage. I’ve therefore written to the head of each of these organisations to seek an urgent meeting at which I will demonstrate why New Barnfield is completely the wrong place for an incinerator.”

The letters were sent this week to the shortlisted companies, E.ON Energy from Waste, MVV Umwelt GmbH, Shanks PFI Investments Ltd/Wheelabrator Technologies Inc consortium and Veolia ES Aurora. They point out that New Barnfield is already home to two schools and a resources library, which would have to be moved or closed. It goes on to say that “heavy duty transport” would cause a traffic disaster: “[It would] fill our local roads, causing disruption, noise and other traffic-related issues.”

Shapps also raises the spectre of possible health risks: “It would seem that a sensible approach would ensure that such facilities are not constructed next door to residential properties... I believe that the New Barnfield site should be discounted at this time.”

Local residents can sign the Save New Barnfield petition, which will be presented later this year to the firms and Council, at www.SaveNewBarnfield.com

ENDS
More info: Grant Shapps on 020 7219 8497

Notes to Editor: Letter to companies attached.