It would be a crime against humanity
THE Docks Incinerator Action Group (DIAG), Friends of the Earth and I am pretty sure that the residents of Barry and the Vale are pleased that the proposal from Councillors Curtis and Moore to declare a “climate emergency” have been adopted by our council across the political spectrum in line with the Welsh Government and UK Parliament. Now the real work begins for all of us.
The decision of July 29 is not “year zero” but a commitment by the council to all of our futures to adopt best practice going forward and rectifying past mistakes.
Some actions that need to be taken may be difficult but doing the right thing must surely be worth the effort. After all said and done, without a habitable planet all else is futile.
Following a meeting at the Cherry Orchard attended by members of DIAG, Friends of the Earth and various councillors of all political persuasions including Leader Neil Moore it was agreed that an Environmental Impact Statement was a legal requirement before planning could be granted for the Aviva/Biomass incinerator to be built. It was also the consensus in the room that “no one in their right mind would give permission to build the incinerator today”.
Cllr Moore undertook to investigate (on behalf of the people of Barry) whether planning permissions granted on this development could be set aside.
We are all waiting for the results of his timely intervention on our behalf.
Indeed now we have a declared “climate emergency “for the Vale it must be a priority to use all means to rectify this massive mistake (after all it has taken the Welsh Government 18 months and counting to find a legal way of allowing operation... something is not right).
To rescind planning permissions as part of the councils and the governments new green initiatives would show the gravity of the situation the world faces.
After all the incinerator is estimated to spew out 130,000 tons of global warming CO2 per year... that is 3,250,000 tons over the lifetime of the plant... or the equivalent of 650,000 diesel cars running around our streets.
The CO2 pollution billowing out from the Aviva/Biomass incinerator does not take into account numerous other pollutants including lead, cadmium, ammonia, zinc, dioxins, nitrogen oxides and Pm2.5s (shredded mixed waste wood includes paint, plastics and metals that makes it difficult for any one to know what is being burned and released into the atmosphere).
Recent scientific studies from around the world shows that children living in close proximity to incinerators have reduced lung capacity and brain development.
To allow the operation of this incinerator so close to peoples homes with out the legally required Environmental Impact Assessment being in place before other consents would not only be a crime against the people of Barry but a crime against humanity and the planet.
The Vale of Glamorgan Council has the opportunity under the leadership of Cllr Neil Moore to make a difference others will follow. Paul Robertson Barry