By Rachel Hovenden

INCINERATOR

Developers behind controversial plans for a Chesterfield waste incinerator claimed it

was crucial to cutting carbon emissions yesterday.

The statement comes after neighbouring North East Derbyshire District Council
(NEDDC) voted unanimously to oppose the plans in an emergency meeting on
Tuesday.

Cyclamax's managing director Tony Watkins, 41, said the plant would generate
renewable energy by burning waste and recycle 13,000 tonnes of material a year that
would otherwise go to landfill.

He said: “This has no carbon value. It will be the equivalent to the energy of 16,000
houses in Chesterfield, and will reduce the greenhouse gases equivalent to taking
17,000 cars off the roads every year. This is important in the lead up to Copenhagen.
Everyone agrees it is important but there’s a not in my backyard attitude.”

He added that within six years Derbyshire would run out of landfill space so an
alternative was desperately needed.

Councillor Stuart Ellis of the NEDDC called the emergency meeting when he realised
how soon Derbyshire County Council’s final planning meeting was.

“The NEDDC has no power in the matter. But it is my contention that North East
Derbyshire will be more affected by the emissions.We hope the prestige and moral
authority of the council will influence the decision, in addition to Chesterfield
Borough Council who were also 100% against the plans,” Councillor Ellis of
Wingerworth ward said.

The NEDDC objected because of health concerns to do with particles released into
the air during the gasification process. They felt it would be too close to homes,
schools and businesses.

And Chesterfield MP Paul Holmes also called for the plans’ rejection on Tuesday in a
letter to case officer, Kevin Finn of the DCC. Mr Finn is drafting the final report for
the planning committee in January.

Chesterfield Borough Council also voted to oppose the plans last January but the final
decision lies with the DCC.

Mr Holmes said in his letter: “Although once a heavy/‘dirty’ industrial area it no

longer is so. Immediately adjacent to the proposed Cyclamax site is the large and
brand new Bridge Business Centre.This was built to exacting environmental
requirements and is advertised as ‘on the edge of the Peak District’ – providing a semi
rural location, clean air, free of heavy traffic in a quiet purpose built business park.”
MF
Julie Harrington, 32, of Dunston Lane, is leader of the Chesterfield Against
Incineration campaign and owner of Dunston Lodge Boarding Kennels. She said:
“We’re really pleased. It adds to the overwhelming opposition of people to the plans
and sends a strong message to Derbyshire County Council, and hopefully they’ll
listen. While we support efforts to reduce global warming we feel this is the wrong
place and way to do it.”

She added: “It was a business park that had attracted some nice businesses to the area
and was helping regeneration. This will be like turning back the clock.”

ENDS