PROPOSED WASTE TRANSFER STATION "NOT SUITABLE AND NOT FAIR" SAYS MP (Julia Goldsworthy)

Julia Goldsworthy <info@juliagoldsworthy.org>

PROPOSED WASTE TRANSFER STATION "NOT SUITABLE AND NOT FAIR" SAYS MP

December 4, 2009 4:30 PM

Julia Goldsworthy MP is calling on Cornwall Council to put forward alternative sites to United Downs for a waste transfer station.

She said residents in the villages of Carharrack and St Day were at risk of being "stitched up" over plans to put the facility on their doorstep, despite assurances that the site would close next year. At a packed public meeting at the Mills Hall, Carharrack on Thursday night, residents heard from SITA that other sites were being explored by the Council, but were not told where.

Under the proposals being considered, closure of the tip would go ahead as planned in the Autumn of 2010, but the site would be used as a 'temporary' waste transfer station for up to four years. Speaking after the meeting, Julia said it was unfair to inflict another four years of heavy traffic, pollution and congestion on the long-suffering people of St Day and Carharrack.

She said it was essential that Cornwall Council came clean about the other sites under consideration and published a full list: "The council and SITA have a lot of work to do if they are to convince local people that this is not a stitch up.

"Residents in Carharrack and St Day are entirely justified in being angry. They were told that the landfill would close in 2010 for good, yet it seems the goalposts have moved yet again, with this proposal to keep the site open as a 'temporary' waste transfer station

"Given the way they have been treated, it's understandable that they think it only be a matter of time before this 'temporary' site becomes permanent. It is clear that the site at United Downs is not suitable and it is not fair on local people to have it here."

Julia is demanding that the Council produces a list of alternative sites under consideration, and said they must set out a proper consultation proposal: "The council need to be open about the number of sites under consideration, and set out clearly how the decision is going to be taken on choosing final site.

"They must not make this kind of decision without making sure local people have the chance to have their say. The last thing we need is a consultation process that pays only lip service to local views. People in this area are understandably fed up of decisions being taken that affect their lives, followed by a meaningless consultation exercise after the decision has already been made."