Objections flood in against revised incinerator proposal
‘Significant changes’ not enough to satisfy many objectors
Objectionstorevisedplansforan incinerator in Ford have flooded in over the past fortnight with one labelling it an ‘unsightly monstrosity’.
GrundonWasteManagement and Viridor lodged an initial planning application last summer for an energy recovery facility, as well as a waste sorting and transfer facility, at the Ford Circular Technology Park.
Permissionforamuchsmaller facility was granted on the same site back in 2015.
But strong objections have been raised about the sheer scale ofthenewproposals,inparticular the height of the chimney and massing of the main building.
The application was withdrawn and a revised one submittedtoWestSussexCounty Council.
GrundonandViridorsaidthey listened to feedback and made a ‘number of significant updates’ to the plans.
Amongthechangesmadewas areductionintheproposedheight of the main energy recovery facility building by 12.7 metres, lowering it from 51.7 metres to 38.5 metres.
Thefacilityhasalsoundergone a major architectural redesign whichhasenabledchangestothe site layout and created space for newgreenareasandlandscaping, withtheaimofhelpingscreenthe facilities.
Thewastesortingandtransfer facility has also been reduced in size–withoutdecreasingitswaste management capacity.
Howevertherevisedproposals have still proved unacceptable for many, with more than 170 objections lodged in the past fortnight.
Residentsarguedthebuildings were still too large and out of character with the surrounding area,whilemanybelievedtheroad network was unsuitable for such heavy vehicles.
One objector wrote: “The visualimpactofthisnewbuilding would totally change that and damage the character of the whole surrounding area and all thevillageswithinit.Anunsightly monstrosity.”
Another wrote: “The roads in the area are lanes and unsuitable for a large volume of vehicles visiting the site and the junctions ontothe‘A’roadsareindangerous locations and would require extensive road works to make them suitable for such access.”
Another objector said: “Many of the residents of Yapton are fed up with the endless building plansbeingproposedinthisarea. The amount of new builds in this village over the last few years is staggering. This development will potentially ruin the area.”
Earlier this month, Philip Atkinson, Ford Energy from Waste director, said: “As a responsible developer, we have taken the time to review and consider all of that feedback to ensure we have put forward the best application.
“We’ve made several significant changes to our plans but, critically, these changes have been made without compromising the waste management capacity or the energy generation output of the facilities.”
To comment on the revised plans, visit www.westsussex. gov.uk/planning using code WSCC/011/21.