You've dumped it! Victory for people power on Nuneaton contaminated waste plant issue

Nov 21 2008

By Emma Ray

A CONTAMINATED waste plant that was heading for Nuneaton has been sensationally dumped in a u-turn fuelled by people power. The announcement was made at a specially convened press conference at Nuneaton's Town Hall on Tuesday. It was revealed that Waste Recycling Group (WRG), which owns the Judkins site, has decided not to support the application by TCSR. That means that regardless of any planning application, they will not allow the development to go ahead on their land. Now WRG is formulating plans with Warwickshire County Council and Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council on how the site can be developed. The vision is for a site used for housing and light industrial business. While plans are still in the early stages, the first glimpse of Judkins' bright new future could be seen by next spring. The town's biggest victory for people power is one shared by the near 9,000 people of Nuneaton, Bedworth and beyond who signed the Tribune's Dump It! petition. In making the announcement, Cllr Alan Farnell, leader of Warwickshire County Council, refused to acknowledge that public opinion had anything to do with the decision to look for a better alternative. He said: "The public outcry has not helped, it has been a hindrance. "I wrote to the Environment Agency seeking their 100% guarantee about the plant and I had that guarantee. "But Cllr Marcus Jones contacted me and said that we could do something better. "I am extremely pleased with where we are now." However, in a statement released at the press conference, Cllr Farnell was quoted as saying: "We were also moved by the public desire for a positive investment in Judkins to the benefit of Nuneaton." WRG has also expressed "concerns at the possible harm the development could cause to its relationship with the local community." Paul Green, senior development manager at WRG, said: "While we are confident that the technology to be employed by TCSR would have been entirely appropriate, effective and safe, what we now have is a much better long-term set of proposals. "WRG will continue to work with Warwickshire County Council and Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council to consider and bring forward longer term development proposals that will meet the council's strategic objectives for the area, bringing opportunities for new housing and jobs. "We will shortly bring forward proposals for moving the approved site for the composting scheme further into the Judkins site and the redevelopment of the existing household waste recycling facility. "We will ensure that any future proposals have the full understanding and support of local people." Christine Kerr, chief executive at the borough council, said the plan was vital to the borough's core strategy and would be "considered in public and subject to quite a degree of scrutiny." Keith Kondakor, of Friends of the Earth, was the first person to pick up on the proposal. "I'm overwhelmed, I thought we had a 50/50 chance. "We have done the impossible. Everyone said we couldn't overturn planning permission, that we couldn't stop this, but we have. "This shows we can bring change to Nuneaton, we want something better for our town. "It proves to people they can say no to things they don't want, they can demand better. "It starts today." Jayne Innes, prospective Parliamentary candidate for Nuneaton, said: "This is a real victory for people power. "The campaign involved people from across Nuneaton, the borough and beyond. "We had 500 people on the Facebook site, 500 people signed the petition for a proper public meeting, and nearly 9,000 signed the Tribune's Dump It! petition. "Nuneaton and District Action Group was formed and Keith Kondakor from Friends of the Earth worked tirelessly. "We have had fantastic support from local councillors, Bill Olner, Dr Catherine Ball, and of course from the Tribune, which has shown what being a local paper is all about. "I think the community should be very proud of themselves." Cllr Marcus Jones, leader of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, said: "This is great news not just for the people of the borough but the residents of Nuneaton, particularly those in close proximity to the site. "There have been very delicate, confidential discussions between the borough council, county council and WRG and we have come out with exciting proposals. "We should be looking at light industry, housing, office accommodation, high end jobs of the sort that Nuneaton and Bedworth lacks. "We need to narrow the gap between the borough and the rest of Warwickshire. "It's extremely important that the public are consulted."