When will they understand that we don't want their incinerator?!

We were thrilled that Durham County Council planners yesterday recommended the Hownsgill Incinerator plans to be rejected. However as your local councillors we are concerned that Project Genesis will appeal and have that decision overturned. So much so that Angela made a heartfelt plea in her speech directly to the applicant NOT to appeal, which was also acknowledged in the Northern Echo today. Here is an excerpt from her speech...

"Finally I would like to speak directly to the applicant. Project Genesis has done a huge amount of good work and after meeting with Mike Clark and Mark Short personally, their passion for the continued regeneration of Consett is abundantly clear. However what is also dazzlingly obvious is how unpopular these proposals are with the people of Consett. 

The disconnect is troubling and is why Michelle and I asked Project Genesis to rescind this application on two separate occasions; once in a private meeting where we asked them questions raised by local residents and a second time during the public Question and Answer session we arranged between the applicant and members of the public. And our position still stands. 

Should this planning committee advise this application is rejected, my heartfelt plea to the applicant is please do not appeal. Why would you bring something to our hometown that is so vastly unpopular? 

Please let this be. 

And please engage earlier and with increased visibility for future projects. We all have the same aim. To improve Consett. And I know that the residents in my ward and across the town will be behind you with future development plans. But the public must be included and the plans must be for the benefit of Consett and be welcomed by the public."

Watch Angela's speech below from 48 minutes:

Unfortunately, Project Genesis released this statement and it looks like they ARE intending to appeal. You can read their statement here.

When are they going to learn that no one wants this incinerator?! How can they possibly proceed with an appeal knowing how unpopular this is with the people of Consett? We simply do not understand!

- Angela and Michelle