Great news for Brentwood residents! Local incinerator plans rejected due to health and noise fears

From County Councillor for Brentwood North, Barry Aspinell:

Last week, we successfully refused the proposed incinerator application for Burnt Mills in Basildon at an Essex County Council planning meeting. This would have affected people in our Borough and I opposed it as a result.

After a lengthy discussion and a site visit, I recommended refusal for several key reasons:

1. Over-intensification of industrialised areas within our urban, domestic setting.

2. Concerns over health and well-being due to emissions from the 250-foot-high stacks.

3. Lack of biodiversity.

4. Insufficient consultation with adjoining districts.

This motion, seconded by Cllr Ivan Henderson and supported by others, passed with three votes in favour and two abstentions from the Conservative members. The proposal was successfully rejected, but the developers have the right to appeal, the committee heard.

Rest assured, we at the County Council will ask the Government to call it in if necessary. Several MPs were against the scheme, prior to the election, and we await further updates from the Government.

As the BBC has reported, the government has temporarily halted issuing permits for new incinerator plants.

The scheme is halted for now, marking a victory for our community’s health and environment. Let's keep pushing for what’s best for Brentwood. The meeting was last Friday and is available on the County’s webcast for those interested.

Warm regards,

Cllr Barry Aspinell