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Burton Residents Celebrate as Flintshire Council Throws Out Incinerator Plans

Flintshire Council's planning committee have voted 10-6 against plans for an £800m incinerator to be built on Deeside.

Amongst the objectors to plans for the facility, known as Parc Adfer, were Burton Residents Association, who had written to planners to express concerns over potential emissions and noise.  They had been successful in seeking the advice of Professor D J Oldham, Emeritus Professor of the University of Liverpool and resident of nearby Ness, who volunteered to write an Environmental Report on Noise and Vibration in support of the objection which was sent with a letter to Flintshire County Council.

In rejecting the plans, committee members contradicted recommendations from Council officers.  They said there was 'no need' for a facility of this size and type in the area. 

The decision may have to be reconsidered if council planning officers decide that the action was a 'significant departure from planning policy'.  The incinerator would have been capable of burning up to 200,000 tones of non-recyclable household, industrial and commercial waste every year.

Members of the committee expressed concerns over potential noise, pollution and traffic issues that would impact on residents. They were supported in these views by members of Connah's Quay Town Council and chairman of Burton Residents Association, Michael Redmond.  Neston Town Council had also previously lodged an objection to the plans and petitions against the development were signed by many Neston residents, concerned about emissions from the facility carrying across the Dee Estuary.

Speaking against the plans, Cllr Ian Dunbar of Connah's Quay Council said: "There is strong opposition against these plans from the people of Connah's Quay. They are fearful of the fall-out from emissions. Residents are concerned for their health and for their childrens' and grandchildrens' health."

Bernie Attridge, deputy leader of Flintshire council said: "There is nothing good in this for the people of Deeside and the public will have to put up with it for 25 years or more. I plead with you to reject this for the good people of Deeside."

Michael Redmond of Burton Residents Association spoke for his allotted 5 minutes, reiterating the arguments put forth in writing previously, noting that a particular area of concern is the noise which would emanate from the delivery of waste to the plant and the tipping of such waste in the delivery area. After the meeting he told AboutMyArea: "Burton Residents Association is not against the policy of replacing landfill with better ways of disposing of waste, but would not wish to see one obsolete method (landfill) replaced by another (incineration).

"The proposed incinerator may be 'state of the art', but the art is itself obsolete."

Phil Short, Parc Adfer project manager, claimed the development would not put pressure on the road network locally, increasing traffic flow by just 0.1%. He further claimed that the scheme was vital to waste removal in North Wales and would create 300 construction jobs and 35 longer term positions.  He also promised that there would be no harm to health for nearby residents and that it would not be excessively noisy.

Speaking after the decision, Mr Short said: "We're obviously disappointed. We now need to consider the reasons given for refusal and decide on our next steps."

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