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[mythoughts]

does not suggest that Welwyn Hatfield's County Councillors are very effective in representing local views.

Too right. They don't even appear to want to hear them never mind represent them.

In principle, of course, there's nothing wrong with well informed County Councillors making such decisions

I disagree with that Mike when it's such an important issue - day to day matters but not something like this. Remember in other threads I've pointed out how the PCT has a history of ignoring public opinion...and look where we are on that.

Anyway, it's too late now. Deadline's passed. Be interesting to see how many people actually contributed in the end though I think many of us are "consultated out"...

[scoop]

Just seen this interesting story on the WHT's website. They used old maps!!!


http://www.whtimes.co.uk/content/whtimes/news/story.aspx?brand=WHTOnline&category=News&tBrand=herts24&tCategory=newswhtnew&itemid=WEED11%20Mar%202008%2015%3A46%3A29%3A797

[shapps]

I've written to Hertfordshire County Council on this important issue - and have posted a copy of my letter below. As I've said, I feel that the consultation process had flaws, and have asked for a response and comment from the Council.

Grant.



RE: Waste Development Framework Consultation

I have recently been contacted by a number of my constituents within Welwyn Hatfield in reference to the consultation on Hertfordshire County Council’s Minerals and Waste Development Framework.

I certainly share the concerns of some of those who participated that the consultation process as a whole was too complicated, and not held open for sufficient time. I’d be grateful if you could also give your attention to a number of other serious matters that have arisen in connection with the consultation, and would therefore welcome your comments.

It has been raised that certain features of the consultation do not promote public involvement, being unsuitable in format and structure. In fact, a constituent notes that the response form requires an ‘organisation of respondent’ section to be completed as a mandatory field. This by no means encourages the participation of individual members of the public. I understand that the consultation itself is actually on 2 options papers, which, with the associated appendices, total 385 pages (excluding maps). It has been suggested that the public must read these lengthy documents in order to be able to participate in the consultation and provide comment according to the design of the feedback and response forms provided. Additionally, there is an expectation that a separate such form be completed for each comment across the two papers – the ‘Waste Site Development Policies Preferred Options Paper’ and the ‘Development Policies Preferred Options Paper’. 

The former document implies that any waste site in Welwyn Hatfield or Hertfordshire would not only be intended to meet the needs of the County, but might also need to accommodate waste imported from London, a worrying proposal. This is particularly true in view of Hertfordshire’s stated vision for waste management, to: ‘effectively manage … within its own borders … Sufficient waste management facilities will be located as close as practicable to these centres to ensure new communities deal with their own waste.’

There is concern that documents within the consultation – for example the map (ref 101) used to represent and assess the suitability of the Burrowfield / Chequers ‘preferred site’ location – are unrepresentative. Map 101 is out of date, and does not show the extensive new housing development now in the vicinity. However, it does show Herts. Country Club alongside the old primary school that has since been demolished and re-located. I note that map 101 is also a large file, at nearly 5 megabytes (though it is not the largest). This has been suggested to be a difficulty for those who wish to participate in the consultation but who do not have access to high-speed internet connections.

Furthermore, references are made in the ‘Waste Site Allocations Preferred Options Paper’ to Appendices that do not appear listed as part of the document; for instance, on p. 9 appendix E is cited, which does not feature either in the contents or on the associated web page.

Given the points outlined above, I am not persuaded that this consultation has been sufficiently accessible, and would like to pass on my constituents’ feelings to this effect. You may be aware, for instance, that members of the North Mymms Green Belt Society produced a response to the proposed waste handling site at New Barnfield, which carried 75 signatures, indicating the significance of any such consultation. 

[mythoughts]

Great letter Grant. I think we're all sick and tired of trying to put forward our views and having one hurdle after another put in our way.  The QEII/Lister consultation was exactly the same and it's about time such consultations were "road-tested" on ordinary people at random before being launched.

[kaz]

New Barnfield site,  Hatfield has been 'chosen'

http://www.stalbansreview.co.uk/news/3782357.New_rubbish_plant_for_Hatfield/

[rwolf]

As part of the truth seeking community (conspiracy theory) I'm not sure which is No 1 for being the most dangerous weather its ID Cards or Incinerators they are both hideous and should be contested with every sinew of energy you have in your body.

Look on the map and see where the incinerator is planned and we get mostly south-westerly winds and how much C02 will this release into the atmosphere and they are imposing all these phoney green taxes on us and we're supposed to be having an 80% reduction in C02 emissions

Soon rocks will have more rights than humans and the rock will be under the house where you live and you'll have to move to make way for the rock, its just a matter of time

This also says that Hertfordshire County Council have completely given up with recycling all they can think about is the money they haven't got the slightest concern for our health, at least with landfill one day it can be dug up and recycled

Some people think they have a problem spraying us with deadly poison, think again

If we all speak up and make a stand we can stop the Incinerator from happening it's up to you, what are you going to do?

Quote John Pilger

 "Don't believe anything government says until its officially denied"

[Mike Harris]

Many thanks for your correspondence to Grant regarding this important issue.

First of all Grant wants to let you know that he shares your concerns about this proposal and has joined local residents in calling on the County Council to put the local community first when considering this plan.

It is his understanding that this is not a conventional incinerator pumping out smoke (as in the old days), but that instead it creates energy from the waste in a covered environment. He has been told that there are no health risks attached to the process, but he is seeking expert advice on this very point and will keep the community briefed on his discussions via the Welwyn Hatfield Forum and through the local press.

Grant is however very worried about the other issue of traffic, disruption, congestion and general road safety. The roundabout at the junction of Southway, Travellers Lane, Millwards and New Barnfield is already incredibly busy with Tesco lorries and the idea of dramatically increasing vehicle movements presents a serious problem.

Grant has therefore organised a meeting with the Leader of Hertfordshire County Council to express his deep concern and will continue to lobby for the best possible outcome for his residents.

In addition to Grant’s support, you also have the backing of Welwyn Hatfield Council, as well as Stuart Pile who is your local Herts County Councillor and we are united in this battle.

Grant will endeavour to keep you posted.

Mike Harris
Parliamentary Researcher to Grant Shapps MP

[MikeHobday]

This is interesting. On October 30, we learn that

you also have the backing of .... Stuart Pile who is your local Herts County Councillor and we are united in this battle.

Yet, on October 20, Stuart Pile was at the County Council cabinet meeting which agreed:
- That a 270,000 tonne EfW + CHP plant at New Barnfield, South Hatfield is included in the OBC as the proposed reference site.
- The immediate initiation of a project to achieve the relocation of all of the current service activities on New Barnfield by April 2011 at the latest
- That the following projects be initiated:
   a) Relocation of the Central Resource Library, the Schools Library Service, Library Service administration accommodation, Mobile Library Service,  Technical Support Services and Distribution to suitable alternative accommodation, and
   b) Relocation of the Key Stage 3 part of Park Education Support Centre to suitable alternative accommodation.
- That further reports be brought to Cabinet concerning those projects, either within annual business cycle processes or as and when required, to enable the vacation of the site of New Barnfield and having regard to the progress of the Waste Procurement Project.

And the minutes don't show Stuart voting against these decisions (http://www.hertsdirect.org/yrccouncil/civic_calendar/archive/Cabinet_64/081020%20cabinet%20minutes.doc). What are we to conclude?

And while we're on the subject of disingenuous Conservative statements, here's County councillor Derrick Ashley, executive member for planning, external relations and waste, saying, "The inclusion of New Barnfield in the bid for funding does not mean this site will definitely be chosen."
(http://64.233.183.132/search?q=cache:BXGuQebQwhcJ:www.herts24.co.uk/content/whtimes/news/story.aspx%3Fbrand%3DWHTOnline%26category%3DNews%26tBrand%3DHertsCambsOnline%26tCategory%3DnewslatestWHT%26itemid%3DWEED30%2520Sep%25202008%252016%253A40%253A58%253A963+whtimes+%22new+barnfield%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=5&gl=uk)
Sounds like the County Council are making pretty firm plans for the Hatfield area.

[Mighty Hatfield]

I conclude that our County councillors are useless pieces of rubbish who not only DONT look out for our best interests, lie about it and say that they are. They belong in a waste disposal site.

The removal of the countys biggest library, with all the support facilities that go with it, AWAY from the town in Hertfordshire that houses the University and also Businesslink (the library is an important business information resource) AND to add the insult to this injury, putting an incinerator there in its place is a shocking betrayal that i would put higher up the list than any fireworks cancellation, shoddy xmas lights, or EVEN the Town centre fiasco.

If this continues unopposed (or opposed in the style that the tories would have you believe they are doing already) then it is a shocking neglect of Welwyn Hatfield. You can just imagine how it goes at county hall,

CHAIR: "we've got a number of incinerators to build, look, no-ones going to like it, any ideas where?"

ALL "what about hatfield? its so rubbish i doubt anyone would notice, hahahahah!"

CHAIR: "hmm, ok hatfield, lets see, that could be a problem, there doesnt appear to be any council owned sites that we could easily put it on"

ALL "well, hang on, havent they got the central resources library in Hatfield?, im sure most of them cant read anyway (hahahahaha), why dont we put that somewhere nice like Hertford, then bingo! weve got room for the Incinerator!"

CHAIR: "i like that thinking! right, Hatfield it is, any objections?"

Welwyn Hatfield County Councillor: "sorry, what was that, i wasnt listening, i was too busy planning my next career move"

CHAIR: "we've decided to take a library from Hatfield, and replace it with an incinerator"

Welwyn Hatfield County Councillor: "but hang on, how am i going to get re-elected when they realise what we're planning to do?"

CHAIR: "oh never mind about that, just say your doing everything you can and are seriously looking into the plans until its too late, then we'll sit down and try and work out a way how you can blame it on the government anyway" 

Welwyn Hatfield County Councillor: "excellent, they wont know whats going on, Grant Shapps has said in his newsletter that he's dead against it anyway, so theyll all assume it was labours fault anyway"

Elections are due next spring people. Dont forget this complete let-down. 

[dizzy]

i am extremally concerned about the proposed waste treatment site at new barnfield.I canot believe that our local conservative council can seriously be considering this as there preferred site.I am pleased that ht the lib dems are fighting against it,and they will get my vote in local elections,as i feel at the moment that party is the only one that cares about this very intrusive local and far spreading  preferred decision.It begrs believe that our local conservative council are so out of uch with the people they represent,I call upon every one to sign theonline petition,and if possible to go to the meeting at county hall hertford at 2pm on the 13th of may.At least one party is willing to stand up,what happened to grant??or is he siding with  the counci;l???this is such a big issue, why do we have to put up with this incompetent council that care nothing for the life styles of people in hatfield,I geuss they all live in areas that wont be affected by lorries 24 hours a day so as has been shown in the past who cares about hatfield!!just run it down even more,After all no town centre extra housing ,an incinerator,no hospital, come and live and work in the marvellous envirerement of the wonderful historic town of hatfield.Does any one care?

[Mighty Hatfield]

as i feel at the moment that party is the only one that cares about this very intrusive local and far spreading  preferred decision.

I fully share your concern about the proposals, but to be fair, arent the Labour and Green parties also against it? Im sure Mike has been contributing to the debate in a fairly 'anti' manner for some time now.

Anyway, more the merrier, lets get this silly idea recylcled.

[MikeHobday]

as i feel at the moment that party is the only one that cares about this very intrusive local and far spreading  preferred decision.

I fully share your concern about the proposals, but to be fair, arent the Labour and Green parties also against it? Im sure Mike has been contributing to the debate in a fairly 'anti' manner for some time now.

Anyway, more the merrier, lets get this silly idea recylcled.

I've been a strong opponent of waste incineration since (showing his age) 1990 when, working in South London, I supported an anti-incineration group called Belvedere, Erith & Thamesmead Against Environmental Ruin (BETTER!). I opposed waste incineration as a County Councillor for Welwyn Garden City between 1997 and 2005, when I helped write a waste plan that put recycling before incineration. And I've been a vocal opponent of the Tory proposal to site an incinerator in Hatfield.

Mike

[Kay]

My poor friend will be living right near this if it goes ahead - which it probably will.  Hey - what does anyone care about anyone else - they don't!

tt4n
Kay

[MikeHobday]

My poor friend will be living right near this if it goes ahead - which it probably will.  Hey - what does anyone care about anyone else - they don't!

tt4n
Kay

One way to make sure it happens would be to decide not to vote...
Your choice!

[I am Legion]

as i feel at the moment that party is the only one that cares about this very intrusive local and far spreading  preferred decision.

I fully share your concern about the proposals, but to be fair, arent the Labour and Green parties also against it?

Eh? The Labour govt. is putting up £115 million in funds to get this built!

"CONTROVERSIAL plans to build an incinerator next to a special school have moved a step closer, after the county council secured £115m from government to fund the project.

The funds, which have been awarded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), are expected to meet 50 per cent of the cost of developing the facility, which the council has earmarked for its New Barnfield site in Hatfield"

source: Welwyn and Hatfield times 7/5/2009