Chesterfield Against Incineration
Fundraiser Weekend – please see Fundraising section in right hand menu for more details!
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.
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.
Kevin Finn has confirmed the report will NOT be ready by the 7th December planning meeting but is likely to be ready for a final decision to be made on either 4th January or 25th January. Please try and keep these two dates 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:
We have had more leaflets printed – if you can help in delivering some please do contact one of the committee. Please e-mail cai@dunstonlodge.com or call 01246 453 770 Details available here
A copy of the leaflet is available for you to print and distribute. leaflets-nov09
Fundraising
Latest fundraising events:
Jumble Sale, 1pm – 3.30 pm on Saturday 12th December at Barlow Village Hall
Christmas Get-together – 5pm – 10pm, on Sunday 13th December at The Olde House (function room), Loundsley Green, Chesterfield
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.com or 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 09/12/09 RB