Lib Dem outrage at waste plan go-ahead

8.48.41pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 22nd Feb 2006

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minster (ODPM) has lifted its hold on the Tory Council's Waste Local Plan that includes proposals for a large incinerator in Newhaven. Despite overwhelming public opposition to the plan the ODPM has approved the plan to proceed to the next stage.

Local Lib Dem activists and councillors are very concerned about the proposals in the Plan and have opposed much of it from the outset. Lib Dems favour higher recycling targets over incineration and are appalled that the government is so ready to trample on local people's sentiments on the matter.

Newhaven Town Councillor Carla Butler said of the move:

"To adopt a waste local plan that makes provision for a company to dump waste in the sky seems morally reprehensible. I am disgusted that this plan has been adopted despite widespread opposition and controversy. 1.5 million individual details of the Plan have been objected to in the course of the consultations, yet public opinion has been quashed and the requests for higher recycling targets from Lib Dem representatives on the County Council have been refused.

"Still the fight is not over! Planning Permission and a license to operate an incinerator (Pollution Prevention and Control) still needs to be granted. My fellow Lib Dem councillors and I will continue to battle against this unfair and unreasonable plan."