Capel Action Group

Report on the Examination in Public into the Surrey Waste Plan

As a key element in the formal adoption of a new Waste Plan for Surrey (SWP) an examination in public (EIP), led by two Inspectors, commenced on 13 February 2007 and concluded on 24 September 2007 .

As is widely known the SWP allocates Clockhouse Brickworks as a preferred site for a mass burn incinerator, reflecting the stated policy of Surrey County Council (in its capacity as Waste Disposal Authority) which prefers mass burn incineration (or energy from waste) over other technologies. As a result of these strong steers from the County Council it is reported that the contractor responsible for disposal (Surrey Waste Management) has indicated, before the Inspector s' report on the soundness of the SWP has become known, that it intends to submit a full planning application. If these reports are true Capel Action Group (CAG) considers such an intention to be irresponsible and wholly disrespectful of the Inspectors' role in the EIP. The Inspectors' report is expected to be available in early December and whatever it ultimately concludes will be binding on the County Council. This could result in the SWP being found unsound which would send the County Council back to the drawing board.

CAG contributed significantly to the EIP in conjunction with Capel Parish Council (CPC) and Mole Valley District Council (MVDC). The conduct of the EIP comprised consideration of the general policies in the SWP and site specific sessions. The site specific session for the Clockhouse Brickworks site was afforded formal status, in the broad public interest, due to its substantial planning history, including a High Court determination of a previous application; a very high level of continuing public interest; a range of potential issues of principle; a reduction of site choice for thermal processing consequent upon potential changes to the SWP. Formal status enabled cross examination of witnesses. CAG accordingly brought in leading counsel Peter Village together with James Strachan, who successfully overturned Surrey County Council's resolution to grant planning permission for a mass burn incinerator at the Clockhouse Brickworks site in 2002. Expert witnesses appeared for CAG, as well as residents. Sir Paul Beresford, the MP for Mole Valley , also gave evidence on behalf of the objectors.

The formal session for the Clockhouse Brickworks site took place over three days on 17, 21 and 23 September 2007 . The subjects covered were:

Day 1 - Policy, Local Issues and Need

Day 2 - Transportation, Emissions, Aircraft Wake Turbulence and Health

Day 3 - Visual Impact, Landscape and Ecology

Counsel issued a closing statement on behalf of CAG, CPC and MVDC. This and a shorter summary are available on this site. As will be seen from the documents extremely strong arguments were put to the Inspectors asserting that the SWP is fundamentally unsound.