Waste incinerator plans face government review (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

New Barnfield waste incinerator plans face government review

9:27am Tuesday 29th January 2013 in News By Zoe Forsey, Senior Reporter

An application to build a huge waste incinerator on St Albans’ doorstep has been called in by the government.

The Department of Communities and Local Government announced it would be looking into Veolia Environmental Services’ bid to build the unit, which will deal with 380,000 tonnes of waste per year, at New Barnfield in Hatfield.

Hertfordshire County Council gave the go-ahead to the development in October last year despite protests from residents and local politicians.

Cathy Roe, secretary of Hatfield Against Incineration, the campaign group fighting against the plans, said: "This means that the issues that local residents and other campaigners have raised will now be explored by an independent inspector instead of being dismissed out of hand by Hertfordshire County Council.

"We are sure that the case against an incinerator at New Barnfield is so strong that the inspector will refuse planning permission.

"That we have been granted this inquiry is thanks to all those who have worked so hard to support the campaign".

Fellow campaigner Paul Zukowskyj added: "Having worked against this plan for over five years, I’ve never had better news.

"Hertfordshire County Council now has to face the truth, their plan is on the ropes and the community of Hatfield is poised to deliver the knockout blow.

"We’ll not be pulling any punches, we can win and we won’t stop until we do win."