A historic village ‘no place for a recycling operation’
RESIDENTS’ concerns about plans to reopen a recycling plant in Shawell have been raised with the Prime Minister.
The Cotesbach Mechanical Biological Treatment facility at Shawell Quarry, near Lutterworth, has been closed since 2016 but there is a proposal to re-purpose and reopen it.
Villagers have expressed worries about an increase in HGV traffic going to the centre, which could process over 150,000 tonnes of waste a year.
Alberto Costa, MP for South Leicestershire, spoke about the plans from management firm Beauparc Group during Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons. He said: “I was very pleased to raise the very understandable concerns of my constituents with the Prime Minister,” he said.
“These plans for a new waste processing facility in Shawell are, of course, deeply troubling.
“This is a historic, rural village in a wonderful part of the county, that could soon be overburdened by a huge number of HGVs and the pollution they bring with them.
“While
Isupport all efforts to recycle as much as possible, we do have to think about the very best locations for these sites.
“A small village like Shawell certainly isn’t one of them.”
Jonathan Bateman, Harborough district councillor for Misterton, said he fully supported residents in their objections.
He said: “The proposal does not conform to Leicestershire County Council’s own waste and minerals policy and will only bring congestion and air pollution to the area without any significant gains for local people.”
Mr Costa will raise the issue with the appropriate government minister. The Conservative MP said: “While I appreciate this decision is rightfully to be taken by the local council, it’s imperative my constituents have their voices and their views loudly heard.
“The government’s policy is for local areas to recycle as much as possible locally, and therefore any environmental benefits of recycling at Shawell will surely be diminished by the emissions involved in importing waste from other parts of the UK and, allegedly, Ireland. I ask the developer to think again and I will do all I can to support my constituents in strongly opposing them.”
It’s imperative my constituents have their voices and their views loudly heard