Last Updated: 28/06/10

BREAKING NEWS

We are a group of local residents and business owners who share a range of concerns about proposals by a company called Cyclamax to build a gasification plant/incinerator for commercial and industrial waste (including hazardous materials), on Dunston Road, Chesterfield (next door to the new Bridge Business Centre).

Our concerns include:-

• The principle of incineration, a process that burns items that could and should have been recycled, and therefore discourages the separation, reuse and recycling of waste.
• The relatively unproven nature of the technology proposed by Cyclamax, especially for the burning of mixed wastes. People are fearful over the long term health implications of breathing in the emissions from a plant burning mixed, hazardous wastes.
• Our concerns are compounded by the unsuitability of the site chosen in Chesterfield which is too close to residents and schools (19 schools and 30,000 residents within 2 miles), as well as to incompatible businesses and other land uses. Access to the site (via Dunston Road and adjoining roads/country lanes) is also considered unsuitable and unsafe for the estimated 60 HGV movements per day carrying waste to and from the site.

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, provide them the opportunity to express their views to Derbyshire County Council who will make the final decision as to whether to refuse or approve planning permission.

We have presented our concerns at a range of public meetings, at Chesterfield Borough Council’s planning meeting, and at two special meetings in Matlock attended by 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 approximately 12,000 residents and business owners, have now objected to these plans. We now await a final decision on the application by Derbyshire County Council’s planning committee.

Latest News

Planning application

On the 2^nd of June 2010 Derbyshire County Council’s planning committee and planning officers visited a similar incineration plant to that proposed for Chesterfield, which is run by Scotgen in Dargavel, on the outskirts of Dumfries. Representatives from Chesterfield Against Incineration and Councillors from Chesterfield Borough Council also attended the visit to make their own observations. Following this visit the planning department said they would now finalise the case officer’s report and look to set a date for the final decision before the school holidays start in July. As soon as a date is confirmed we will let people know.

The report prepared by the case officer will summarise the application, the responses from consultees, all the objections, and will ultimately recommend whether the application should be refused or approved. This report will be released around one week before the final decision meeting. Then, at the final decision meeting the 9 planning committee members/county councillors will then decide whether or not to accept the officer’s recommendation.

Representations/objections can still be submitted (up until 3 days before the final meeting) to :- Kevin.finn@derbyshire.gov.uk and copy to rob.murfin@derbyshire.gov.uk quoting reference CW2/0708/56

If you’ve not written in yet please do so as soon as possible, or if you have already written but would like to make further comment, or remind them of your concerns then there is still time. 

Please also sign our online petition

Details available here

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 Environment Agency are still in the process of determining Cyclamax’s application for an Environmental Permit, which they need, as well as planning permission, to be able to operate the incineration plant.

We have been told that there will be a further round of public consultation once a draft decision has been reached and an open day (similar to one last September) where the public can raise questions and concerns with Environment Agency representatives. The date of this public meeting will be posted here as soon as we receive further details.

E-mail enquiries can be sent to: PSC@environment-agency.gov.uk

Mailing list

To join our mailing list and receive regular updates about fundraising and important dates etc. please contact Karon Glynn. Details available here

Fundraising

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 nearly two years 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, and can be there to hear what happens.

If you can help in anyway please contact cai@dunstonlodge.com  Cheques can made payable to ‘Chesterfield Against Incineration’, and posted to Chesterfield Against Incineration, C/O Dunston Lodge, Dunston Lane, Chesterfield, S41 9RJ.

Thanks for your continued support

Chesterfield Against Incineration