Keighley and Ilkley MP, Robbie Moore, has expressed his severe disappointment today with the Environment Agency’s decision that they are ‘minded to approve’ an environmental permit for the proposed Aire Valley Incinerator in Keighley, pending a second public consultation which started today (8 June 2020) and will run for six weeks.
The decision is a severe blow for all who have campaigned against the Incinerator. The Environment Agency have launched the second statutory consultation which will determine whether the environmental permit is to be fully awarded. The consultation was due to start on 3 June by online participation only, however upon being informed of this, Mr Moore raised concerns directly with the Chief Executive of the organisation, stating that an online process would “undermine the democratic process” by not enabling all to get involved. Mr Moore also expressed concern that now, under Covid-19 was not the time to be undertaking a consultation on such a huge issue.
Due to Covid-19, the consultation period has now been extended from four weeks to six weeks. Initially the Environment Agency was only going to accept online submissions meaning local residents who were unable to access online services would have been excluded from taking part in the consultation. The Environment Agency after considering Mr Moore’s concerns have now agreed to accept paper responses to the consultation. However, the agency is still pressing ahead with the consultation despite Covid-19 uncertainty.
Mr Moore said: “It is extremely disappointing that the Environment Agency are now ‘minded to approve’ an environmental permit, and that they are proceeding to the second consultation stage when as the UK is still abiding by lockdown restrictions. It is my view that even though the Environment Agency has extended the consultation period by two weeks and are now permitting responses to be received by letter, there is no way that a full and fair consultation can be carried out whilst Covid-19 is still a factor. Many residents who may wish to participate, may be unable to do so though lack of access to the documents, the internet, or even through access to the post office.”
“I am meeting with the Aire Valley Against Incineration group virtually later this week, and I will be working closely alongside them and others to pull together a robust response to this consultation. I remain firmly of the view that an incinerator located at the bottom of a valley, surrounded by houses, sports fields and with schools in close proximity is clearly not appropriate. I have severe concerns regarding the impact an incinerator will have on health and wellbeing. As your MP, I will be contributing towards this consultation putting forward my response in the most strongest of forms. I am amazed that the Environment Agency have reached a conclusion of ‘minded to approve’, and I will be scrutinising their decision with full throttle. I urge all residents to respond to the consultation. By working together proactively, we need to make our concerns are clearly known to the Environment Agency during this second consultation stage.”
The consultation opened at 3pm today (8 June 2020) and will run for six weeks. Submissions can be made at: https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/psc/bd21-4lw-endless-energy-limited-epr-zp3537at/.
