MOD objects to incinerator plan for 120m chimney stack
THE Ministry of Defence (MOD) has objected to plans for an incinerator in Clay Country over air safety fears, the St Austell Guardian can reveal.
Military chiefs at RAF St Mawgan have raised concerns over the height of the proposed chimney stack, at St Dennis, which would tower 120m above ground level.
They say this could put aircraft in jeopardy and have demanded the height of the chimney be reduced to 58m.
A letter from the MOD's defence estates department to Cornwall County Council said: “The proposed chimney stacks at 120m above ground level infringe our aerodrome safeguarding surface by 62m.
“Therefore we must insist that as a matter of air safety that these tall structures are reduced and that they do not exceed the maximum permitted height for this development which is 58m above ground level.”
Despite the air safety fears surrounding the chimney, the MOD had no other objections to the proposed waste plant which is being planned by waste management company SITA.
The letter also said: “We can confirm that the Ministry of Defence has no objections to the above proposal providing that the maximum height above ground level will be no higher than 58m.”
Stephen Gilbert, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for St Austell and Newquay, has been calling for a public inquiry into the incinerator.
He said: “The proposed chimney, or stack, is too high to ensure air safety.
“Yet it needs to be that high to protect areas of special scientific interest from emissions. This is not going be an easy one for them to resolve.”
News of the MOD objection came as Restormel Borough Council planned to hold a meeting to discuss the incinerator.
The special meeting was due to take place at 6pm last night, shortly after the St Austell Guardian went to press.
The final decision on whether the incinerator will be built or not will rest with Cornwall County Council or the Government if the matter is called in.
Last week, it was revealed that Restormel Borough Council planning officers had recommended the incinerator application be refused on grounds that the site selection process was not thorough enough, and claimed that it would lead to a loss of agricultural land and the proposed buildings would blot the landscape.
The final decision on whether the incinerator will be built or not will rest with Cornwall County Council or the Government if the matter is called in.
5 Comments
by Michael Ryan, Shrewsbury, UK
Thursday, July 24 2008, 8:39AM
“Tough luck on the rare butterflies then!
Pity no-one cares about humans.
Kind regards,
Michael Ryan,
Shrewsbury”
by Rob Whittle, Norwich
Wednesday, July 23 2008, 7:11PM
“So why don't SITA scrap the incinerator, and put in a couple of gasplasma modules with 50ft chimneys, or an Advanved Mechanical Biological (with Anaerobic Digestion) Treatment facility with no chimney??? Beats me!! MOD are correct to object, flying helicopters into chimneys and fine particle clouds isn't good for pilots health and quality of life! I think SITA just have a habit of creating Blots on the Landscape.”
by jill dumenil, australia,formerly Newquay
Wednesday, July 23 2008, 2:31AM
“Not only would the 120 metre chimney stack be too high and a danger to any aircraft, surely it will be pumping out a lot of nasty emissions, that Cornwall can do without. Trouble is Britain does not like to upset the E.U. and I believe the company that bought out E.C.L.P. is French,So I will be very interested in the outcome.”
by CarbonBoot, The Duchy Of Cornwall
Tuesday, July 22 2008, 11:37PM
“Hang on a minute( Daft Incinerator aside). Aren't the MOD handing the ex-Carnanton Woods airstrip over to C'C'C later this year?
How would they have a continuing interest?”
by Rick, Trowbridge, Wiltshire.
Tuesday, July 22 2008, 10:53PM
“Here we go again. Another objection to a much needed facility. Incineration of certain waste materials is the only alternative to burying in the ground and turning the landscape of Cornwall into a massive refuse tip for future generations to inherit. We are pathetically short-sighted. The more we can incinerate the better. So lets talk in feet and inches. It seems that any structure more than 190 feet above ground level is a danger to aircraft using St. Mawgan airfield, and we are told that any incinerator chimney needs to be 394 feet high to protect areas of "special scientific interest" from chimney emissions. So just what are the areas of "special scientific interest" in St. Dennis area? Also we should be asking, what is the definition of "ground level"? Does it mean sea-level? This objection by the MOD is a further delaying tactic in a bid to avoid facing the inevitable fact that incineration of certain waste materials is the way forward.”