Latest on the incinerator

Campaigners against the incinerator proposed for St Dennis have, this week, launched a legal challenge against the decision of Eric Pickles to approve the project.

I have not been involved in the preparation of the case, which is in the names of The Power of Cornwall, the Transition Cornwall Network and the Cornwall Sustainable Waste Network – all Rule 6 Parties at the recent Inquiry.

I understand that the challenge focuses on procedural issues relating to the Inquiry, the impact of emissions on Special Areas of Conservation within the vicinity of St Dennis and that these impacts have not been properly assessed.

But it is also the case that Cornwall Council still has to agree a Revised Project Plan with SITA, before construction of the facility can commence. There is plenty of speculation about the potential increased cost of the incinerator being in excess of £50 million.

At this point, I intend to use my position as a councillor to carefully question and challenge all aspects of the Revised Project Plan (RPP), including the cost.

I will be present at the next meeting of the Council’s Waste Panel on Monday, and the Revised Project Plan (RPP) is on the agenda.

However, the initial paperwork for the meeting was sent out over a week ago, with the RPP report listed as "to follow." As of 5.00 today, the report had not materialised and councillors are still waiting to find out details of the ongoing negotiations between the Council and SITA.

I am certainly not happy about this situation.