Villagers’ no to Augean’s waste plan

Villagers voted overwhelmingly against the Wetherby-based company’s plans to dispose of low-level radioactive material at a hazardous waste site at Kings Cliffe, Northamptonshire.

The locally-organised poll saw 11 villages take part, and won 98 per cent support among those who voted.

The poll, which is only advisory, was organised by Local Democracy in Action.

LDA chairman Robin Gifford said: “It shouldn’t be seen as a case of nimbyism. Of course there’s a necessity for the radioactive nuclear waste to go somewhere but this has never been shown by anybody to be the best place to put it.”

More than 1,700 people took part out of a total 3,755 possible voters, giving a turnout rate of less than 50 per cent.

The poll asked: “Do you want your parish council to strongly object to the disposal of low-level waste in the East Northants Resource Management Facility?”

LDA plans to take the poll results to Government, which is currently assessing an appeal by Augean after the council blocked its proposal to store the waste.

Augean said in a statement: “Augean awaits the decision of the Secretary of State for Community and Local Government on the application.

“This decision will follow a lengthy democratic process where all aspects of our proposals were rigorously scrutinised in public.”

Shares in the company closed up 1.75p at 29.75p yesterday.