How Do I Object?
If you are unsure how to go about objecting try visiting the "How to Object" section in the left hand column or simply click the link above. This page tells you how to quickly and easily object, and importantly, what you need to do to ensure your objection counts. It is absolutely vital that everyone objects, also please make sure each member of your household objects individually - each one counts.
Harrogate Council Verdict - NEW!
(posted 7th July 2009) Harrogate Council have again "STRONGLY OBJECTED" to BCB's Application. Whilst North Yorkshire County Council will ultimately decide whether to approve the application, Harrogate Council is a key consultee. The application received no support whatsoever from the councillors and two said they were "astounded" by it. The councillors also explained that Rudgate would be unsuitable for the proposed traffic increase and that major road improvements would be required as part of the application. It was agreed unanimously that this point be added to the already strong objection to NYCC.
The councillors objection relates to the original application specifying a 31m chimney stack. BCB have said that they will increase the stack height to 40m following the Environment Agency objection to the 31m stack on the grounds that too much Arsenic would reach ground levels (Note. In the previous application BCB were only proposing an 18m stack which is less than half the height that the EA require). All Consultees will be asked to reconsider the application when the stack height has been changed.
Around seventy residents attended which was an excellent turnout, especially given that we only had a few days notice of the meeting.
Important Date - Harrogate Council Meeting Tuesday 7th July
(posted 1st July 2009) We have been informed that Harrogate Council will meet at 2pm on Tuesday 7th July to decide whether to object to BCB's current application. Whilst North Yorkshire County Council will make the final decision, expected later this year, Harrogate Council is a key consultee. As was the case previously, where large numbers of residents attended the meeting, the recommendation will be for the Councillors to object to the application. However, the councillors are not bound to follow the recommendation and it is important that at least as many residents attend this meeting, as last time, to show that the new application has not addressed our issues. A bus will be available to take residents to the meeting and will leave the Green (at the bottom of PRD) at 12 Midday on Tuesday - seats are not guaranteed but hopefully people taking cars will also offer lifts. If you have your own transport the meeting is at Harrogate Council Offices, Crescent Gardens, Harrogate, HG1 2SG.
Unfortunately there will not be enough time to issue a news letter about the meeting, if you have neighbours who may be interested in attending the meeting please make them aware of the details.
Environment Agency Objects to BCB Plans - New!
(posted 28th June 2009) The Environment Agency(EA) has objected to BCB's planned stack height due to it's failure to meet dispersion targets citing "
Arsenic ground-level concentrations are significantly greater than the target levels specified".
Click Here for full objection.
BCB have now said that they will increase the stack height to 40m (130 feet). The stack height in the previous application was just 18m, this was increased to 31m for the current application following an earlier Environment Agency objection. The balloon raising at the Picnic demonstrated just what an eyesore the 31m stack would have been and at 40m this one would be significantly worse. It is worth noting that increasing the stack height only reduces the levels of pollutants at ground level, it does not eliminate them. An increase to 40m may meet targets for the amount of pollution we are allowed to be subjected to but there is a long history of these targets being managed down as new information becomes available.
The EA has told the TRA that their objection is based on a high level review of the application and that they will not scrutinise BCB's application in detail until such time as they apply for a permit to operate the plant. It is possible that at such time other issues may be raised.
Picnic on the Green
(posted 16th June 2009) We have had great feedback from people attending the picnic and intend to hold further events in the future. Many thanks to all involved and particulaly to the singers, dancers and DJ Dave for keeping us entertained. The 31m high balloon "chimney stack" was a great success until the wind became too strong and we had to take it down. We got some good photographs and a coup[le show just what an eyesore this stack would be.
Press Coverage of BCB Fire (posted 16th June 2009)
We have been swamped with emails about the fire at BCB and we know that many of you are concerned and angry about it, particularly as this is the third incident at BCB in a year. Please be assured that we are working very hard with the authorities to ensure this incident is fully investigated. We would also like to thank Councillor John Savage who is working tirelessly to ensure no stone is left unturned.
Serious Incident at BCB on Sunday 14th June (posted 14th June 2009) BCB have again had a serious incident requiring emergency services to attend their premises on Marston Moor Business Park. Shortly after 7:30pm eleven fire engines, police and support vehicles attended the BCB Green Hangar in response to bellowing smoke coming from the building.
The smoke had been spotted by residents living just a few hundred metres away and the emergency services were immediately alerted. This is at least the third time that emergency services have had to attend BCB's premises since last year and it appears that the building was unmanned with no security personnel available to raise the alarm.
Yet again residents have been put at risk by BCB's current operation and we are aware of the deep concern felt by residents that the risks of a hazardous waste incinerator on the site would be so much greater. The cause of the fire is unknown.
One thing that became all too apparent was that the fire hydrants on the park are totally inadequate to handle a major fire. The fire brigade wanted to run two hoses to the hydrant at BCB but only had enough pressure to run one. A conversation with a fire crew, who were using a hydrant in the road at the bottom of Rudgate some distance away from the fire, established that they were having to replenish the engines tanks from there as the water pressure on the business park was too low.
Defra Website Reveals Anaerobic digestion is ‘way forward’ (posted 11th June 2009) Anaerobic Digestion is rapidly becoming the alternative to incineration and provides a means of safely converting organic waste to electricty and garden compost. Putting emissions aside, one of the key flaws in the incineration argument is that the cost of developing plant means they have to operate for 20 to 30 years. Having made such a massive committment an incinerator has to be kept running at the expense of new and emerging technologies, recycling, reuse and other means of effectively managing waste without damage to the environment.
We believe North Yorkshire County Council should look closely at Lancashire County Council's strategy for waste and seek a no incineration solution.
Incineration is Unnecessary - Enlightened County Council says "No" (posted 10th June 2009) Lancashire County Council, one of the leading councils in waste management, has announced that their "current strategy is being reviewed to take account of progress and developments that have been made since the strategy was first written. Following significant advances in current technologies available for dealing with household rubbish Lancashire is moving away from incineration to more sustainable and environmentally acceptable treatment methods such as MBT (Mechanical Biological Treatment). Global Renewables in partnership with Bovis Lend Lease Limited is undertaking one of the most significant Waste Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contracts ever awarded in the UK. The 25 year contract, awarded by Lancashire County Council and the two Lancashire unitary authorities, is worth more than £2 billion over the full term and will drastically reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill. It will avoid the need for incineration, increase recycling rates and significantly reduce the greenhouse gas legacy that comes with land filling household waste."
Community Picnic on the Green - Saturday 13th June (posted 09th June 2009)
Tockwith Residents Association would like to invite everyone to a Picnic on the Green (by the Prince Rupert Drive playground) this coming Saturday from 10am onwards. Councillor John Savage will be on hand to open the Picnic and the highlight of the day will be the launch of a large helium balloon. The ballon will be tethered at 31m, the proposed height of BCB's chimney stack, so that everyone can judge what this would look like from the village and surrounding areas. We would love to see your photographs, please send them to general@tockwith.net .
Click here for details.
Urgent - Tockwith Parish Council Meeting - Thursday 28th May
(posted 27th May 2009)
Tockwith Parish Council are to hold an extraordinary meeting in Tockwith Church on Thursday at 7:30pm to discuss the BCB application. It is important that as many people as possible attend as the meeting will discuss the application, and the Council is expected to decide on it's stance towards the application. Please make your friends and neighbours aware of the meeting. (Link to PC Website).