MEP "supportive" of local groups fight against incinerator
On 14th October, our Member of European Parliament - Sharon Bowles - came to Newhaven to see for herself the area affected by the proposed incinerator.
Members of Seaford Waste Forum arranged the visit, which began at Newhaven Town station where a group of interested parties gathered, including local MP Norman Baker, Newhaven Mayor Robbie Robertson and his deputy Rod Main, Seaford Town, LDC & ESCC councillors Eddie Collict and Jon Freeman and representatives from Seaford Waste Forum, DOVE and Friends of the Earth.
Sharon Bowles and a small group of people then travelled to the New Road Euro Business Park to meet Ben Jenson, director of CEVP Ltd, who make thin film systems. This firm has to maintain over 99% dust free protective environment for their work and, should the incinerator go ahead, they would have to leave the area.
Ms Bowles then moved on to Paul Earl Ltd, where she met Stan Everitt, one of the directors. He had prepared an open letter in which the company expressed their concerns on three fronts - (a) increased traffic and the attendant rise in costs (b) health of their staff (c) visual impact on the area immediately adjacent to their premises. Again they feel they would have to relocate if the incinerator is built. They employ 40 people locally and are growing well, being in the Sunday Times "Fast Track 100" companies listing.
The group then went up to the Fort car-park area, to view the panorama of the town, downland and marina. Sharon could appreciate this is a residential situation where work, education and homelife are all affected by this threat. Finally about twenty people adjourned to Hillcrest Centre where a discussion group ensued. Sharon was very supportive of all the groups' concerted efforts to stop this incinerator being built and has promised to do what she can to access information and offer advice where possible. She was given a presentation folder with details of the Waste Forum's concerns, local photographs etc before leaving with Newhaven councillor Pat Ost and the Mayor, to tour the regeneration areas of the town.
Local MP Norman Baker is, of course, well known in his support of the environment issues and together they could help us to make a difference.
Seaford Waste Forum stresses that this issue is far from decided and the community must continue to fight hard to stop the incinerator being built. The impact on many aspects of our daily life would be dramatic and we must persuade the County Council to adopt the alternative waste plan promoted by the Forum.
For more recycling and waste management information, view their website at www.seaford-sussex.co.uk/swf
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