Action Briefing Jun 2003 - Jul 2003
	The Newsletter of Birmingham Friends of the Earth

West Midlands News

Happiest days of our lives?

Plans to build an incinerator that would possibly dispose of BSE infected cattle have been stalled in Redditch after operators withdrew their appeal to the Secretary of State last month.

An application by Popes Lane By-Products to operate a 24-hour animal remains incinerator less than 200 metres from a school were met with horror last summer in the village of Astwood Bank. (NB: The application was publicised in the first week of the school holidays.)

Tireless campaigners ABAI (Astwood Bank Against Incinerator see www.abai.org.uk) worked through the remaining year brushing up on BATNEEC, air quality and the Local Plan, rallying a “Yellow No’s Day” across the village every time their wheelie bins went out! Support from Jacqui Smith MP, Redditch Friends of the Earth and Green Party member Tom Hellberg was also enlisted.

In December 2002, a special enforcement committee at Redditch Town Hall refused to authorise the application, resolving that the applicant had failed to adequately take into account the topography of the site, and the proximity of the local school and housing.

Wife, Jean, of the applicant Martyn Wharmby reminded the village that 11 years ago they had been granted a license to operate on a smaller scale at the same site, saying bluntly: “I wouldn’t mind my children going to school near an incinerator at all.”

More recently, suggestions that Popes Lane By-Products had actually applied for the wrong license in 2002 and now the decision to withdraw their appeal leaves doubt in the minds of villagers as to whether they will ever see the back of these mad cows.

Alistair Waugh, Redditch Friends of the Earth 01527 544560