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Welcome to the Tockwith Residents Association (TRA) Website. The TRA is presently focussed on opposing the application to build a Gasification Incinerator and Power Station on the business park next to the village. This page will be used to communicate important or significant events, please check back regularly for updates. Further information, including full details of the application, research information, details on how to object (it's not too late) and press articles can be found in the "Incinerator Application" section. Incinerator Application WITHDRAWN !!! (posted 14th October 08) We have today received verbal confirmation from NYCC that BCB's application to build an incinerator on the Business Park has been withdrawn. We await confirmation of the reasons for the withdrawal and further information will be supplied as it becomes available. A newsletter will be issued shortly to the village and Business park. Whilst there is nothing to prevent a future application being submitted it is very clear that there is massive opposition to any industrialisation so close to other businesses and the village. It has been a dreadful year for the many who have lived in fear of the proposal becoming a reality, at last we can get on with our lives - it's time to Celebrate!! Further information to follow. Incinerator Application - Further Documents Submitted. (posted 10th October) As mentioned in the recent newsletter the Residents Association have recently studied two documents submitted in support of BCB's planning application relating to Design and Access and Accident and Emergency (Risk). We have submitted our own comments, and those received from others in the area, to our planning consultants for them to formulate a professional response to NYCC. The documents raise a number of worrying points, for example quoting the risk assessment directly; "minor spillages are probable and acceptable during delivery", with "fire in the waste storage area being fairly probable and acceptable if reduced as reasonably practicable". We don't believe this is acceptable and would like to encourage as many people as possible to read the documents and send any objections you may have to NYCC, contact details can be found in the Objections section. We believe this document also fails to mention other risks which could arise. The Design and Access document points to Tockwith being a suitable place for the plant on the grounds that "Less favourable locations may disrupt local residents", which seems to imply that it's ok to disrupt Tockwith residents. Please take a look and let NYCC know your views. NYCC Committeee Meeting Now Expected in 2009 (posted 20th September 2008 - Updated 21st September 2008) NYCC are currently awaiting updated application documents for the proposed incinerator and once these are released there will be a further consultation period and an opportunity for new objections to be raised (note, existing objections will still be valid). The Land and Development Practice, which is acting for the TRA, will also prepare a response to the amendments once the documents are available. This process will not be completed in time for the October 7th meeting and it appears that the application is now unlikely to be considered by NYCC before next year, possibly at the January meeting, however this is subject to confirmation. Garden Party for TRA Members - Sunday 7th September (posted 01 September 2008) Stephen Milner, one of the founder members of Tockwith Residents Association, is stepping down following many years of service to the village. To commemmorate the occasion he would like to invite all TRA members to a garden party at his house on Sunday 7th September at 2pm. (Membership will be availble on the day). Tockwith Show a Great Success (posted 15 August) Tockwith show was again a great success and fortunately the weather held up although dark clouds gathered from time to time. The TRA had a stall which at times got very crowded as people queued up to have a go on the available games or browse the books on offer. Mark's home made "Roll a 10p" game was a massive success with everyone, all in all around £140 was raised. Many thanks to everyone who contributed their time and effort to what was a very enjoyable day. July Newsletter. (posted 15 August) The July Newsletter was circulated widely last month however if you didn't get a copy it is available on the link below. Marston Road Playground gets some TLC (posted 15 August) The playground on Marston Road had recently become overgrown and in need of attention. Many thanks to all those who turned out recently to help restore the playground back to it's former glory. Auction of Promises Raises a Staggering £6328.77 (posted 16 July) The recent web based Auction of Promises, which culminated in a traditional auction on Saturday night, raised a massive £6328 to fight the Gasification Incinerator planning application. This is a tremendous achievement and demonstrates both the deep concern surrounding the proposal and the determination of the residents of Tockwith and surrounding villages to fight to protect our environment. The auction was great fun and we would like to thank all those involved particularly Pauline and Toria for their hard work in making it happen, Paul Hill who was brilliant as our auctioneer and everyone for taking part. Further Objections Expected (posted 11 July) Following discussions with a number of Busines Park representatives it appears that a significant number of businesses were still unaware of the plans for the incinerator, whilst others believed it had been refused following Harrogate County Council's objection. The result is that many of these businesses are now expected to lodge formal objections, a number have already done so this week. For those that are looking for infornation on how to object please see the links to the left under "Incinerator Application". Unfortunately the link to the planning application documents has recently been broken however this is now working again. Whilst a date for North Yorkshire County Council to make a decision on the application has yet to be announced this is anticipated to be 7th October - please put this date in your diary as it is important that as many objectors as possible attend the meeting in North Allerton to show their concern. Whilst objections will be considered right up until the meeting the sooner these are sent in the better as they need to be circulated to the decision makers before the meeting takes place. Please don't leave it to someone else to object, every objection counts and adds weight to the arguments for refusing permission. Parish Council Matters (posted 16 June 08) The Parish Council has drawn our attention to a number of matters that affect Tockwith residents which you may be interested in, these include topics from dog fouling to recycling. (see here for details) Toxic Gas Alert on Business Park (posted 06 June 08) It is a sobering thought that a serious gas leak could have occured in Tockwith, and that the vast majority of residents wouldn't have known about it until they read a news article 24 hours later, but just such an incident occurred yesterday. The BBC and Wetherby News articles on the following links should make residents and local businesses think long and hard about BCB's proposal for processing tens of thousands of tonnes of hazardous waste on the business park (Article 1, Article 2). Call for boss to show plant would be eco-Friendly - Wetherby News (posted 11 May 08) TOCKWITH councillor challenges BCB boss to "put his green credentials on the table". (see here for article) Tockwith gets Support from Westminster (posted 11 May 08) Shadow secretary of state for Transport Theresa Villiers has spoken out against the incinerator proposal following her recent visit to Tockwith. Ms Villiers has concerns about the location and access stating "I hope the council will think long and hard about these issues before reaching its decision", she also promised to ask for a full briefing from NYCC Highways department. (see here for details). Art Exhibition is Huge Success (posted 11 May 08) The recent Art Exhibition fund raising event was well attended and everyone seems to have had a thoroughly enjoyable time. The event raised a massive £900 so well done to everyone who was involved from organisers to attendees with special thanks to Tockwith Art Group and The Yorkshire Countrywoman's Association. (Thank You poster) District and Parish Council Elections - May 1st . (posted 27 April 08) Given the current situation with the BCB threat it is vital that we have strong representation on the Parish and District Councils and would like to encourage everyone in Tockwith to cast their vote on May 1st. The TRA, is receiving tremendous support from some of the candidates who are standing for election, see various articles on this website, but whatever your politics please demonstrate your commitment to Tockwith by ensuring that you do exercise your right to vote. Tockwith Conservation Area Status update. (posted 27 April 08) Please note that there is a mistake in the leaflets issued by HBC and the TRA regarding this workshop which will start at 6:00pm and not 6:30 as stated. A number of residents have reported not receiveing the leaflet from HBC so please ensure your friends and neighbours are aware of the event, a copy of the leaflet is attached (HBC Leaflet), (TRA Poster). Another senior conservative MP adds support to Tockwith Campaigners. (posted 22 April 08) Shadow Secretary of State for Transport and Conservative MP, Theresa Villiers, visited Tockwith last week to add her support for the campaign against the proposed incinerator plant which many residents are concerned will affect their quality of life. (See here for details) Tockwith Conservation Area Status up for Review by HBC. (posted 22 April 08) Harrogate Borough Council are reviewing Tockwith Conservation Area and will hold a meeting in the Village Hall on Wednesday 30th April to discuss this with residents. Tockwith gets a lot of protection from it's conservation area status and the TRA feels it is in the interest of residents to ensure this protection continues - particularly given HBC plans for a significant housing development in the village. We would encourage as many people as possible to attend this meeting. Not everyone has internet access so please make your friends and neighbours aware of this (Poster). MP Speaks Out Against Waste Plant. (posted 19 April 08) Following his visit to Tockwith last week Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Philip Hammond, has spoken out against BCB's proposal stating "Incineration facilities need to be positioned very carefully to avoid blighting the lives of local communities through smells, noise, emissions and traffic. It is immediately apparent to me that Tockwith is not the right place for a facility of this type." The full story was printinted in the Wetherby News yesterday (see here for details). Fund Raising Event Saturday 26th April. (posted 19 April 08) A fund raising event will be held next Saturday to raise money to fight BCB's proposal. Funds are required to ensure we can hire the best experts available to fight BCB's proposal to build the waste plant. Saturday's event will be held in the village hall during the afternoon and will include an Art Exhibition, tea and cakes (see here for details). Further events will be announced shortly. TRA April Newsletter. (posted 19 April 08) The April Newsletter is hot off the press today, everyone in the village should receive a copy shortly. If you can't wait for yours to be delivered here is a electronic copy - April Newsletter. Gasification Loses Green Credentials. (posted 12 April 08) Perhaps gasification never had any green credentials but we have been led to believe that the plant would be environmentally friendly and carbon neutral. There has been a great deal of scepticism about this, particularly as there is a high proportion of plastic, which is made from oil, in the waste stream. Burning plastic is the same as burning fossil fuel in environmental terms (see here). The following graphs from the Eunomia report on Cutting the Carbon Impact of Waste show just how polluting gasification is in terms of carbon emissions. Of twenty-three technologies examined gasification was only three places from being the worst technology for carbon emmissions (see graph). In terms of electricty production only basic incineration scored lower than gasification with a gasification plant being 15% efficient against a coal fired power station being 80% effeciant (see graph). There are clearly much more environmentally friendly ways to dispose of waste and it's actually quite difficult to come up with worse technology than gasification. Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury Visits Tockwith to offer Support (posted 11 April 08) Philip Hammond the Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury visited Tockwith last week to meet residents and offer his support against the BCB Incinerator proposal. TRA spokesman challenges BCB Managing Director to "put his money where his mouth is". (see here for details) PhD Chemist and former Research Scientist Objects on Health Grounds (posted 11 April 08) Dr Dominic Curran has objected to BCB's proposal citing serious health risks and stating that the type of Particulate Matter that would be emitted has been linked to infant mortality. This hard hitting and sobering objection confirms the research undertaken by several TRA Committee members. Anyone residing within 16 miles of the proposed site, the main area of fallout, should read this (see here for details). BCB Managing Director Claims Zero Toxic Emissions For Plant (posted 12 April 08) This article in the York Press last August makes interesting reading, particularly now that we have researched BCB's figures in detail ourselves and found that many tonnes of toxic emissions would be emitted from the plant each year. It is also worth reading this alongside Dr Currans objection above. We leave you to draw your own conclusions. (See here for details) Wetherby Town Council Objects to BCB Proposal (posted 11 April 08) Wetherby Council have become the latest representative body to unanimously object to BCB's proposal. (see here for details) Three more Parish Council's Object to BCB Proposal (posted 11 April 08) Three more Parish Councils have lodged objections against BCB's proposal. Hunsingore, Cattal and Great RIbston and Walsford Parish Councils have all written to NYCC to object to BCB's proposal. Copies of the letters are not available at the time of posting but may be added at a later time. "Members should not be deceived by the promise of Energy from Waste" - York Green Party Objects to BCB Proposal (posted 11 April 08) Councillors Dave Taylor and Andy D'Agorne have written to NYCC to object, on behalf of York Green Party. The objection goes on to state "Disposal of the highly toxic fly ash which is produced as an end product of incineration may prove injurious to residents over a much longer timeframe. Fly ash typically contains extremely dangerous chemicals such as dioxins which would need to be safely removed from the site and landfilled". (see here for details) Harrogate Borough Council Objection Letter (posted 11 April 08) Councillor John Savage Calls for Plant to be Halted (posted 11 April 08) Cllr John Savage calls for the waste plant to be halted on various planning grounds stating "It's impact would be quite devastating". He goes on to compare the 18m stack, which may have to be much higher to satisfy the Environmental Agency objection, as "the Blackpool Tower of the Vale of York"(see here for details). Harrogate Borough Council Raises “Strong” Objections to BCB Proposal (posted 27 March 08) Residents of Tockwith and surrounding villages turned out in force today to attend Harrogate Borough Council’s (HBC) planning committee meeting at which councillors were to decide whether or not to back BCB’s plans.
Around one hundred and fifty residents packed the committee chamber, with many more outside unable to get in.
Councillor John Savage spoke on behalf of objectors and gave the councillors a brief assessment of the issues, the council only allow a maximum of 3 minutes to make the case against the proposal.
Several of the councillors spoke to express serious concern at the proposal with one asking to have HBC’s recommendation amended to include the word “Strongly” object, which was accepted by all councillors.
After asking a number of questions the councillors made it clear that they were very much against the proposal and unanimously agreed to “strongly object”.
This is a tremendous boost for those against the proposal and we will now step up campaigning and fundraising in preparation for North Yorkshire County Council’s meeting, at which the planning decision will be made, and potentially an appeal. (News Article)
"Oppose Incinerator Plans" - Say Officers (posted 21 March 08) The Wetherby News ran an article today in relation to Harrogate Borough Council planning officers recommendation that councillors should formally object to BCB's application. (see here for details). Phil WIllis (MP) Lends Support Against Incinerator (posted 20 March 08) We were pleased to hear that Phil Willis (MP) is against the incinerator proposal and would like to thank him for his support (see here for details). Newsletter 19th March 2008 (posted 20 March 08) The TRA issued their latest newsletter this week covering information and events surrounding the Incinerator proposal. The newsletter contains further details of the Harrogate Borough Council meeting on Thursday 27th March (next Thursday) at 2pm. The bus will leave Tockwith at 12:30, contact Julie McVeigh 358840 to book a seat (click here for details). Harrogate Borough Council Recommends Objection - Press Coverage (posted 18 March 08) Following the blitz of press and radio coverage last week there have been further articles published today covering the campaign. Important Date - Thursday 27th March 2008 - Your Attendance is Vital (posted 17 March 08) Harrogate Borough Council are a consultee to BCB's application and they will meet on Thursday 27th March at 14:00 (2pm) to decide whether to support or object to the proposal. This is a critical date in our campaign as North Yorkshire will look closely at Harrogate's views before deciding themselves whether to support or object when the proposal goes to councillors for a decision. We are delighted to know that Harrogate planning officers will recommend to the meeting that the planning committee lodge formal objections to the proposal - which is fantastic news! However, this is only one step in defeating the application and it is vital that as many people as possible attend the meeting in Harrogate to impress on the committee that they should agree the recommendation. It is important that we demonstrate to NYCC's planners the extent of opposition to this proposal, and the Harrogate meeting will give us a real opportunity to do so.
Further details of the meeting will be announced shortly and a coach will be available to take objectors to and from the meeting. Please put this date in your diary now, we expect this to be a family occasion with lots of children attending (although please bear in mind that the planning meeting itself may be a bit much for some of the younger ones). The meeting will be in the Council Chamber in Harrogate (near the exhibition centre). Community Meeting Held to Discuss Incinerator Proposal (posted 12 March 08) Tockwith Parish Council held a community meeting on Tuesday 11th March to discuss strategy, funding and further action to be taken in opposing this proposal. Peter Torrible from the Land and Development Practice spoke at the meeting which was attended by over one hundred people. We would like to thank everyone who attended in the atrocious weather conditions and also those who have made donations. Enough money has been raised so far to pay for the excellent planning based objection formulated by Peter and his team (see the objection letter in the "Incinerator Application" section). This has been entirley possible due to the generosity of various groups and individuals from Tockwith and surrounding areas, including those who simply joined the TRA. We now need to take the next step and employ a highly respected specialist to formulate an objection based on emissions. This will involve a further significant spend but the cost of doing nothing would be immeasurably higher. We need donations to be able to do this and the link to the left provides information on how you can help fight this proposal by making a donation. We also need people to volunteer some of their time to help with fundraising and in supporting other TRA activities. If you can help please use the Contact Us section to let us know. Finally, at least two reporters attended the meeting and articles have since appeared in the Wetherby News and York Press (see here for details). Radio York Interview (posted 12 March 08) Clive Billenness (Tockwith with Wilstrop Parish Council) was interviewed this week by York radio and spoke very eloquently about concerns that many of you share regarding the incinerator proposal. Sections of the interview were broadcast throughout the day but you can listen to the whole interview here. Harrogate Council Leader “greatly concerned” about Environment Agency objection to Tockwith Incinerator Proposals. Regional Assembly may review its support for scheme. (posted 08 March 08) Harrogate Council Leader, Mike Gardner, has stated that he is “greatly concerned” about the proposals to build an Energy from Waste Incinerator Plant just outside Tockwith and may also ask the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Assembly to review their support for the scheme. ( See here for details). Tockwith Residents Association Raise Further Objections (posted 06 March 08) Further objections based on the latest (December 2007) Planning for Sustainable Economic Development paper have this week been lodged with North Yorkshire County Council by the Land and Development Practice on behalf of Tockwith Residents Association. This makes particular reference to the siting of Hazardous Waste operations near to existing businesses and forms the basis for a highly relevant objection ( See here for details). Environmental Protection at Harrogate Borough Council Raises Strong Concerns over Incinerator Proposal (posted 06 March 08)
The Area Environmental Health Officer, Mark Lee, has raised multiple concerns relating to the planning application by BCB Environmental Management to build a Gasification Incinerator with EfW (Energy from Waste) (NY/2007/0331/ENV.) on Marston Business Park. The letter covers a number of areas including Noise, Dust, Odours, Litter, Air Quaility and Land Contamination ( See here for details). Environment Agency Objects to Incinerator Proposal (posted 01 March 08)The Environment Agency, as a consultee, has made an objection to NYCC, the planning authority, regarding the planning application by BCB Environmental Management to build a Gasification Incinerator with EfW (Energy from Waste) (NY/2007/0331/ENV.) on Marston Business Park due to concerns that emissions would impact residents and business occupiers ( See here for details). Tockwith Residents Association(TRA) Objects to Incinerator Proposal Tockwith Residents Association (TRA) is strongly objecting to this application on several grounds, including emissions, and welcomes the concerns of Environmental Protection and the objection by the Environment Agency as these support their own research and reflect the concerns of many residents of Tockwith and other local villages. The TRA objection has been put together by The Land and Development Practice who are experts in the field. ( see here for details). e-Petition - your chance to petition on-line against the Gasification Incinerator proposal. If you would like to sign the e-petition against this proposal please follow the link below. Please note that although you have to give your name and address, your personal details will not appear on the website and will be known only to the petition organisers and ultimately to North Yorkshire County Council, who are the Planning Authority. Your e-mail address will not be recorded. We need these details to validate the petition signatures but these will not be used for any other purpose. The suppliers of the petition software, a third party, ask for a donation for their own use however you are not obliged to make one and can cancel out at this point in the process.
Don't forget that every qualifying person in a household can sign. If you are looking for a Home Page item and it is no longer here please take a look in the News Archive Section. | | |
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