'No community would ever want this': West Midlands villagers fight against waste disposal incinerator
Residents in Hixon, Staffordshire, unite against waste facility proposal, with county council supporting their opposition to the plans.
A residents’ group which is opposed to plans for a waste disposal facility in their village have said that they are reminding their community to let a government inspectorate know their views before this week’s deadline.
Their opposition to the facility at Hixon near Stafford has been backed by the county council following a decision to refuse the plans by the planning committee.
This is an indicative decision as the applicant Inwaste Ltd lodged an appeal ahead of the committee meeting.
Brendan McKeown, Hixon parish council chairman, said: “As parish councillors we made our opposition clear from the outset to this application. No other potential sites were considered and it’s not been proven that Hixon is the right place. We fully endorse the decision for refusal and trust the inspector takes this into account when considering the appeal. It’s great that the community has come together to make their voices heard.”
Hixon resident and parent Amelia Garner spoke at the committee meeting about the shared concerns of the community.
She said: “Staffordshire County Council’s planning committee stood with the community in unanimously refusing this application which we’d like to thank members for. There is no community anywhere in the country that would want a clinical or hazardous waste incinerator next to a primary school.”
Now, the county council is encouraging people to write to the government’s planning inspectorate with their views on the plans for facility at Hixon Industrial Estate.
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Andrew Mynors, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for connectivity which includes waste management, said: “It’s been great to see how active the Hixon community has been and responsive to something which could affect day to day life.
“This is how local democracy should work. Members of the committee are Staffordshire residents too and aware of the sensitivities of this type of application. Their refusal centred on the fact that the location is not suitable for this type of facility – which the committee unanimously agreed with, in line with the officers’ recommendation. There is still time for people to send their views to the inspectorate.
“As we have said before, while we hope the inspectorate upholds the committee decision, we’ll stand by residents whatever the decision.”
Inwaste Hixon Ltd appealed to the planning inspectorate against the county council for failure to make a decision on the application within the statutory period or agreed extended period (non-determination).