Objections raised in response to Surrey Waste Plan

Plans which identify two Green Belt sites in the Borough as possible locations for waste management facilities, prompted objections from Woking's councillors at a meeting of the Executive last night (Thursday 27 July).

The Surrey Waste Plan has been developed by Surrey County Council to outline how the county's waste could be dealt with in the future. The document has recently been submitted to the Secretary of State, and all interested parties - including local authorities - now have the opportunity to put forward any objections that they may have.

Although Woking Borough Council presented a clear response to the plans during a consultation period back in December, there are still a number of issues which have not been addressed by Surrey County Council. Last night, with the residents of the Borough very much in mind, councillors agreed an official response to the plan.

Following its discussions, the Executive will now put forward objections to:

the extension of facilities at Martyrs Lane as it believes the need for this has not been justified

the possible development of two waste management facilities at Martyrs Lane and Heather Farm as it believes that one facility should be adequate for processing the Borough's waste

the possibility of mass burn incinerators being located in the Borough as it believes that other technologies are more environmentally friendly.

Speaking about the Surrey Waste Plan, Cllr Philip Goldenberg, Woking Borough Council's Portfolio Holder for Planning Policy, said: "Whilst we need to take responsibility for the rubbish that is generated in our own Borough, it would be environmentally damaging to have two waste management facilities in Woking, with all the extra traffic they would generate; and we remain strongly opposed to mass-burn incinerators, whether in Woking or elsewhere."

Woking's objections will be considered by an independent planning inspector who will decide if the plan is sound and if it satisfies the necessary statutory procedures. The inspector's conclusions are likely to be published in summer 2007 following a public examination (which will be headed up by the planning inspector).