Controversial incinerator has gone from Calderdale, say campaigners
The controversial incinerator at Calder Valley Skip Hire has been removed
Campaigners for more than a decade against an incinerator once proposed for a Calderdale waste site are reporting it has now been removed and on its way out of the area.
Following a pledge new owners of the Belmont site at Sowerby Bridge, Ellete Waste Ltd, that the small waste incineration plant (SWIP), at this point belonging to departing Calder Valley Skip Hire (CVSH), be removed, campaigners The Benbow Group are reporting it has gone.
The campaign group has messaged supporters: “The incinerator has been removed from the Belmont site.
“It is believed work to dismantle the incinerator and associated plant started on Monday.
“The building which housed the incinerator had a stack, being the chimney, and what appeared to be two ventilation ducts, all these have been removed.
“The Pollution Control Systems units left the site midday on Tuesday.
“The incinerator together with the autoloader left the site Tuesday evening.”
The group said it was now understood the incinerator building was now empty.
They thanked all those who had supported the campaign over more than a decade.
“It has been a long process, the first objections were submitted to Calderdale Council in October 2015 – thank you to all who have contributed in whatever way over the last decade.
“It is hoped that this is the beginning of a new chapter, and subject to the site operator complying with the Planning Conditions and the Environmental Permit conditions which apply, that the local community can have a positive relationship with the business occupying the site,” they said.
Sowerby Bridge ward councillor Adam Wilkinson (Lab) welcomed the news.
“Absolutely delighted that, after more than 11 years of determined campaigning, the incinerator has now left Sowerby Bridge.
“This has been a long and hard-fought battle, and today’s outcome is a testament to what can be achieved when a community comes together and works closely with its councillors.
“Thank you to everyone who played a part in making this happen” he posted on social media.
CVSH had planning approval for the SWIP but also needed a key environmental permit to operate it.
This was granted twice by Calderdale Council, and challenged, the council then revoking the permit on both occasions – once following a Planning Inspector’s effectively refusing the permit after a public inquiry – following legal challenges from campaigners.