Tories press on with Capel Incinerator

3.25.00pm GMT Sat 15th Nov 2008

Hazel Watson & Iain Murdoch visit the proposed incinerator site at Capel

Despite the efforts of Capel Parish Council, Capel Action Group and their supporters who travelled to Kingston to protest, Surrey County Council has given permission for the incinerator to go ahead in the face of strong opposition from Liberal Democrat Councillors. Liberal Democrat County Councillor Hazel Watson claimed speaking rights at the Planning Committee as a representative for Dorking Hills and spoke out against the plans.

She said, "Capel is the wrong place for an incinerator for Surrey's waste as it is too far from the population centres of Guildford, Woking and the north of the county, where most of the waste is generated."

She continued, "It will also be difficult in practice to enforce the route for lorries from the Guildford area which is supposed to be along the A3, M25 and then the A24. As a result, it is likely that many lorries will take the shorter unacceptable route along the A25 through Abinger Hammer, Wotton, Westcott and Dorking town centre and this will damage our villages and market town."

Local Liberal Democrat District Councillor, Iain Murdoch, joined the protesters at the meeting. Afterwards, he said, "It's deeply disappointing that overwhelming local opinion has been totally ignored again. But this is not the end of the fight. The flawed Surrey Waste Plan is being challenged in the courts by the Capel Action Group and this is due to be heard on 26 January. However, the court action will be expensive and the Capel Action Group is looking to raise about £30,000 to fund the legal battle. If you can help with a donation, please contact the Group directly via their website www.capelaction.org.uk ."