It’s always good to share good news, and on Friday we received just that. After months and years of campaigning by CRAIN (Carlisle Residents Against the Incinerator) and Rockcliffe residents, the planning committee of Cumberland Council decided to reject an application by North-west Regeneration. They wanted to develop an ‘Energy from Waste (EfW) facility’ which would have included a Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) fed Gasification Plant with a 23m high flue stack. The site for the facility was planned for land next to the former Unit D on Kingmoor Park Rockcliffe Estate.
Councillors voted 5 to 2 against the proposal on the grounds that the evidence of the long-term health implications was unclear. In reality, this was just one of the many reasons that objectors were against the proposal, other factors included a total lack of transparency on the part of the applicant, the council, the EA and Natural England; a massive increase in HGV traffic; pollution that would affect local wildlife; previous non-compliance with fire safety legislation by the applicant and the fact that the project would actually increase greenhouse gas emissions.
We in the local Green Party were proud to support CRAIN and Rockcliffe residents through attendance at demonstrations, submitting objections to the planning process and helping gain signatures for petitions.
This is a clear example of how ordinary people can bring about change through consistent, organised action. Well done to everyone.