Chesterfield Against Incineration
We are a community group committed to the prevention of a gasification plant/incinerator proposed for Dunston Road, Chesterfield.
Since September 2008 we have been raising awareness of this planning application so that members of the community are able to inform themselves about the development and, if they are concerned, express their views to Derbyshire County Council.
We have presented the concerns of local residents and business owners at public meetings, at Chesterfield Borough Council’s planning meeting, at two special meetings in Matlock, and to Derbyshire County Council’s planning committee.
We’ve also been involved in raising tens of thousands of pounds to pay for a planning solicitor (Marrons of Leicester), a highways consultant (Waterman Boreham) and an environmental consultant (RSK) to formally challenge the planning application for us. A summary of these findings presented to Derbyshire County Council in March 2009 is attached here. marrons-to-dcc-2309
Chesterfield Borough Council, North East Derbyshire District Council, Dronfield Town Council, Barlow Parish Council, Unstone Parish Council, Holmesfield Parish Council and Holymoorside and Walton Parish Council, as well as thousands of residents and business owners, have now objected to these plans.
The final decision on the application now rests with Derbyshire County Council and their planning committee and is likely to be made on Monday 8th March, but we are awaiting confirmation on this.
Latest News
UKWIN AGM - we are hosting the UK Without Incineration Network Meeting in Chesterfield on Saturday 20th March. This group have been really helpful in providing sound advice on a range of issues throughout our campaign as well as a helpful link to other campaign groups across the country. The guest speaker is Alan Watson a professional consultant on waste issues. He will deliver a presentation on the history of the anti-incineration movement. Please let us know if you are interested in attending. Numbers will be limited so it will be a first come first served basis. Details Available Here
Derbyshire County Council are seeking public views on their waste strategy. This is a great opportunity to make you views known. Please access via the following link www.derbyshire.gov.uk/bigchoices
Fundraising – the longer our campaign goes on the more money we need to raise. Just to remind you every single penny raised goes towards funding our solicitors or other professional experts. Organising fundraising activities takes us away from the task of preparing our final report and briefing papers. So…
- Is there anyone who could help with organising fundraising events please?
- One of our supporters has offered up a barn dance (thank you Ian) - we need a venue and a commitment for people to attend please – can anyone offer to organise this?
- could individuals commit to donating just two pounds each? If everyone did that then we would not need to be concerned with both fundraising and our final campaign drive. We will put ‘£2 to Help Stop the Incinerator’ collection boxes at Dunston Garden Centre and New Leaf Garden Centre – if anyone else can offer to host a box please in a pub, shop etc we would be very grateful.
- please also consider any other fundraising opportunities e.g. ‘dress down Friday’ for a £1 donation..I am sure there are lots of other ideas out there
- If anyone would to prefer to send a cheque please send to CAI, Dunston Lodge, Dunston Lane, Chesterfield S41 9RJ – many thanks for your support
Current status:
Planning application
The case officer at Derbyshire County Council, Kevin Finn, is now finalising his report which will summarise the application, the responses from consultees, all the objections, and will ultimately recommend whether the application should be refused or approved.
The report then needs to be checked/approved by the County Council’s legal team before it is presented to the Planning Committee for them to make the final decision.
The final meeting could be held on Monday 8th March, but we are still awaiting confirmation on this. Please try and keep this two date free so you can be there to hear the decision. Full details of the meeting date/venue will be announced here, as soon as they are known
Representations/objections can still be submitted (up until 3 days before the final meeting) to :- Kevin.finn@derbyshire.gov.uk
Please also sign our online petition
Our presentation from the latest Special Meeting at Matlock where we and our solicitor presented our objections to the planning committee are attached here:
See CAI’s presentation here. 9th-oct-09_matlock-final-versiona
See solicitor’s presentation here: marrons_short-form-presentation-final
Environmental Permit
The re-advertised application is in the process of being determined. Representations can still be made to:- PSC@environment-agency.gov.uk
To join our mailing list and receive regular updates about fundraising and important dates etc. please contact Karon Glynn. Details available here
Leaflet Distributers Needed:
A copy of the leaflet is available for you to print and distribute. leaflets-nov09
Fundraising
Latest fundraising events:
WATCH THIS SPACE FOR UPCOMING FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES!
See the Fundraising page for more details.
All professional/legal fees and the cost of printing leaflets, posters, etc. have been funded entirely by public donations and through fundraising events.
We are still raising funds to help pay for the solicitor, Marrons, who has been representing the campaign group for over a year now and has presented the legal/technical side of our case at key meetings.
Funds are also needed to help pay for printing of leaflets and posters so that we can keep raising and maintaining awareness of these proposals and in particular to ensure that everyone will be aware of the date/venue of the final decision meeting, so they can be there to hear what happens.
If you can help in anyway please contact cai@dunstonlodge.comor cheques, made payable to ‘Chesterfield Against Incineration’, can posted to Chesterfield Against Incineration, C/O Dunston Lodge, Dunston Lane, Chesterfield, S41 9RJ.
Important
It has been brought to the attention of CAI that assertions, regarding professional integrity, have been made against Kevin Finn, the DCC case officer.
CAI wishes to make it clear that we do not endorse these views. We have always found Kevin Finn to be helpful, courteous and professional.
CAI pride themselves on running a campaign that relies on facts and truth which can be supported, referenced and evidenced. We have no reason to doubt the professionalism of Kevin Finn.
We understand that this planning application concerns very emotional issues for us all, however we request that people respect the position of Kevin Finn, as an impartial case officer, who has to do his best to weigh up both sides of the case in order to write his report to the planning committee.
With Thanks
CAI
Thanks for your continued support
Chesterfield Against Incineration
Last updated 17/2/10 JB