Campaign group backs battle over incinerator

Paul Jeeves

ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners from Friends of the Earth are helping fund a bitter fight against plans for an incinerator at the first waste management plant of its kind planned in the country.

The proposed facility between York and Harrogate is due to rely heavily on incinerating waste to avoid sending rubbish to landfill sites and paying millions of pounds in Government fines.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But Friends of the Earth has now agreed to help finance the battle to prevent the waste management plant at Allerton Park, near the A1, from becoming a reality.

The Harrogate branch of Friends of the Earth, which has joined forces with the North Yorkshire Waste Action Group, has been given 1,380 from its national body.

The campaign coalition has voiced concerns over the incinerator plans amid accusations that it is a risky financial deal, not environmentally-friendly and will not promote recycling.

The grant will help publicise the opposition as residents are being urged to sign an online petition and write to their councillors.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Harrogate District Friends of the Earth’s spokesman, Malcolm Margolis, said: “It’s tempting to think that we can burn our way out of the problem of finding an alternative solution to landfill. But incineration is no solution.

“Incineration worsens climate change, wastes natural resources, undermines recycling by demanding a steady stream of waste and causes pollution from air emissions and toxic ash.”

However, senior council officials have maintained the plant presents taxpayers with “cost certainty” after Ministers revealed landfill taxes will escalate by 50 per cent by 2015.

A waste management strategy is aimed at saving taxpayers up to 320m over the next 25 years. The 900m deal will be the biggest contract ever awarded by North Yorkshire County Council and York Council.

A public consultation is under way before the two councils meet next month to decide on the plans.

Related topics: