Waste of Energy
The public inquiry into the proposed waste of energy incinerator at Kidderminster
opened on 19th February 2002 to huge publicity and a packed hall.
Once the opening statements had been read, the hall quietened down and the daily
work of the inquiry commenced. Wyre Forest FOE and local campaign group Stop
Kidderminster Incinerator tried to have a daily presence to support those working
on their behalf and keep an eye on daily proceedings.
Indeed we were not the only opponents of Severn Wastes plans. The County Council
as well as Wyre Forest District council both object to the proposal. Also on
our side are the residents group representing Forest Gate and Sport England on
the basis of the loss of sports facilities and open space. Local independent
MP Dr Richard Taylor* and Liberal democrat MEP Liz Lynne have also presented
evidence opposing the incinerator.
The week beginning 11th March saw the opportunity for FOE, SKI and the public
to have their say. SKI have engaged the services of Alan Watson to represent
their views throughout the inquiry. Not only has he presented the group's evidence,
but he has also taken every opportunity to cross-examine Severn Waste. SKI's day
was 12th March while Wyre Forest FOE represented by Dr Vyvian Howard of Liverpool
John Moores University, Bob Harris and Richard Pannell were in on Wednesday to
be followed by other parties on the Thursday including Worcestershire CPRE. The
Thursday evening was set aside for the PUBLIC - yes, the public were allowed
to attend the public inquiry!
The hall threw its doors open and over 100 people marched in to either have their
say or support those that did. Yet again the pomposity of the process was exposed
for what it is and despite the Inspector indicating that loud applause was not
the norm in an inquiry everyone who spoke was warmly clapped as they returned
to their seats. The most galling fact of all is that whatever happens because
the applicant has appealed the decision of the County Council's planning committee,
it is the residents who will pick up the tab for the inquiry including Severn
Waste costs. So much for industry being stifled through the planning process!!
Local people as ever said it all and provided the local knowledge which often
is removed from such inquiries. Indeed it has been the strength of the campaign
which has forced many locally elected people to do a 100% about turn over this
issue. The more evidence the campaign exposed the stronger the case against
the incinerator has become. It is now up to the inspector to deliver his report
to DTLR and let's hope that the public have for once been heard at a public inquiry.
Once the public session had finished it was down to a local hostelery to plan
the next stages of the campaign. There must be something in the Kidderminster
air or water.
* For those of you with web access here is a URL for an interesting article on
Dr Richard Taylor's and the people of Kidderminster's campaign to protect their
local hospital yet another victim to PFI:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/weekend/story/0,3605,663392,00.html