MP leads massive opposition to landraise in East Sussex

1.03.00pm GMT Wed 6th Jan 2010

The county council's proposed site for landraise near Newick

Norman Baker MP is leading massive local opposition to landraise in East Sussex.

Norman says: "I am objecting to landraise in East Sussex on several grounds:

"Firstly, the county council's consultation has been woefully inadequate. Most of the residents and parish councils who would be affected by the proposed landraise sites were totally unaware of the proposals, and the original cut-off date just before Christmas did not in for consultation responses did not give them sufficient time to read through the mountain of documents.

"Secondly, the county council has completely failed, in my judgement, to follow the waste hierarchy. The county has put very little emphasis on reducing waste, or reusing waste through schemes such as materials exchange. The county council have stopped councils like Lewes recycling more than 27%, while Lewes District Council believe they could reach a level as high 60% if these limits were removed. Technology such as mechanical separation and anaerobic digestion barely feature.

"Thirdly this proposed landraise site will be as wide as 60 acres and as high as 80ft, this will create a significant blot on the Sussex countryside. Landraise is a 15th century solution to a 21st century problem.

"I am calling, in the strongest possible terms for East Sussex County Council to completely rethink their waste strategy, and come up with one that is fit for the 21st century."