Liberal Democrats call for incinerator public inquiry

3.16.40pm GMT Mon 25th Feb 2008

Local Liberal Democrats are effectively opposing a Suffolk waste incinerator

Liberal Democrats today called for a public inquiry into the proposed waste incinerator for Suffolk; otherwise the county could face a vote on planning permission by a Tory dominated committee on a Tory decision. The call came after Liberal Democrat councillors made a formal complaint to the County Council regarding the announcement over the proposed site.

Speaking about the announcement local Liberal Democrat County Councillor Andrew Cann said, "A Public Inquiry seems to me to be the only fair way to deal with this issue. When planning permission is sought for the incinerator the company will have to ask the County Council for permission. The committee which decides this is stacked in the Tories' favour.

Suffolk County Council wanted its views to be taken into account at the Independent Public Inquiry on Snoasis at Great Blakenham. Now that the Administration wants to build an incinerator there however it doesn't think a Public Inquiry is necessary.

Last year Suffolk Liberal Democrats exposed the Tories disregard for the primary of health concerns regarding the incinerator. This week the Tories tell us they will decide where an incinerator is built through their own Tory dominated development committee.

The Tories claim they are interested in making 'transparent' decisions. The Tories actions betray their disregard for public opinion: I think a planning inquiry is the only sensible option".