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FOE Cheers 'Valiant' Incinerator Campaigners
4 February 2002
Friends of the Earth today described the three incineration campaigners in Essex who are taking the County Council to court as “valiant”. The campaigners are fighting County Council plans to allow incinerators the go-ahead as part of the County Waste Local Plan. The Conservatives promised at the last local election that they would not allow incineration in Essex,saying “vote Labour if you want an incinerator, vote Conservative if you don't”. At a national level the Conservatives have recently restated their policy position of no incineration until British research shows they are safe.
The local campaigners risk losing thousands of pounds of their own money if they lose their legal case. Friends of the Earth warned that if the Courts give the Council the go-ahead to include incineration in the Waste Local Plan the chance of preventing incineration in Essex is virtually zero.
Charles Secrett, Executive Director at Friends of the Earth, said:
“It is remarkable how often it is ordinary local people who make the crucial difference in protecting the environment from damaging developments. Friends of the Earth fully supports these three courageous individuals in their legal battle. If they fail in their valiant efforts then there is virtually zero chance to prevent incinerators being built in Essex. How county councillors can stand at a local election on a totally anti-incinerator ticket, and then moments after winning give the green light to incineration beggars belief. These u-turn Tories have shamed themselves and the democratic process. May the ordinary people of Essex win in this David and Goliath battle.”
[1] The three local campaigners are Paula Witney (Colchester), Graham Pooley (Chelmsford) and Neville Jessop (Chelmsford).
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Jun 2008
