Capel Incinerator Proposal

Update and Request for Funds to fight plans for a mass burn incinerator at the Clockhouse site, Capel

As expected Surrey County Council adopted the Surrey Waste Plan on 6 May 2008 , despite opposition from the Liberal Democrats and some Conservatives.

As many will know the two Inspectors, who examined the draft waste plan in detail, made a number of binding changes to the plan. These included the following adjustments to Policy WD5, which sets out criteria for thermal treatment or “mass-burn incineration”:

• Removing the “preferred” status from the Clockhouse Brickworks site
  
• Putting back into the plan two sites that had been deleted by Surrey County Council, making a total of five sites that could be brought forward for an incinerator
  
• Removing the green belt constraint in the draft waste plan that unfairly favoured sites other than Clockhouse Brickworks

Welcome as these changes were they did not go anywhere far enough. As a result the Capel Action Group, in conjunction with Capel Parish Council, is challenging the adoption of the Surrey Waste Plan by Surrey County Council. The challenge is being pursued under section 113 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

This action is being taken because CAG considers, having taken legal advice, that there are a number of areas where there are flaws in the Inspectors' Report and reasoning in dealing with objections that were made during the Examination in Public undertaken in 2007. We believe we have a strong case.

Although we are instigating this action now it is likely to be several months before it is heard. The action will inevitably cause delay and cast a shadow on the prospects of any planning permission, if granted, being implemented pending the outcome of the legal challenge.

To undertake this action CAG needs additional funds. You may recall that a request for funds was made towards the end of 2006 to enable strong representations to be made on the Surrey Waste Plan. At that time we estimated costs of some £40,000 and looked to the village to contribute £30,000 – and the village responded magnificently!

In the event we spent less than £40,000 and have £15,000 available towards the costs that will be incurred in the upcoming fight. Capel Parish Council have already pledged a further £10,000 and Mole Valley District Council a further £8,000 – so we have already amassed a total of £33,000. We expect to win and if we do we may not require very much more.

In the event that we do not win we could require a further £50,000. Any funds raised that ultimately are not required will be returned to contributors, as was the case in 2002, when CAG successfully overturned the Planning and Regulatory Committee's resolution to grant planning permission and was able to return 15% to contributors.

£50,000 is a very large sum of money and it is therefore essential that we start to raise money or obtain commitments NOW, as we have to get going imminently. Please be as generous as you are able. Every contribution helps.

Please give this matter your urgent consideration.

Contributions made payable to Capel Action Group should be sent to:

Capel Action Group

c/o Wickney Holt
Coles Lane
Capel
Surrey
RH5 5HU

If you wish to make a direct payment, CAG's bank account details are:

Bank : NatWest

Sort Code : 60-07-02

Account name : Capel Action Group

Account No : 31682383

If you do choose to make a direct transfer please send an email to advise your action to:

dino_adriano@tiscali.co.uk

We look forward to your continued support.

Dino Adriano

for Capel Action Group