FRIDAY 13TH AUGUST -
It appears we are closer to a complete decision date timetable for the relevant meetings, hearings and inquires that are outstanding or yet to be heard.
P.I.N.S. released the following statement regarding Viridor’s 1st planning application...
“The planning inspectorate will make its decision(s) to the Secretary of state around November 5th with a decision(s) from the Secretary of State on or before January 14th 2011.”
Following this Oxfordshire County Council have outlined a date of Monday 25th October 2010 as the earliest O.C.C. planning committee meeting that Viridor’s 2nd and virtually identical planning application for an incinerator plant at Ardley Quarry can be heard.
DON’T WASTE YOUR IDEAS -
The Oxfordshire Waste Partnership
are hosting a consultation on their draft “Waste Prevention Strategy 2010-
A chance to suggest that incineration is not the way forwards and time we looked for new and better technologies in a County that is simply excellent at recycling.
THURSDAY 12TH AUGUST -
Cherwell District Council dealt Vridor another blow in their quest to build a 300,000 tonne incinerator plant costing in excess of £634 million pounds at Ardley Quarry today. In an expert presentation by CDC’s Bob Duxbury outlying Viridor’s proposal CDC’s planning committee agreed that this was NOT an appropriate development for the district or for Ardley Quarry, unanimously voted NO to planning permission. CDC Cllr James Macnamara also gave a rallying presentation at the meeting with the reasons why this application as with Viridor’s 1st should NOT be granted planning permission. You can watch extracts from the planning meeting by clicking the link below (agenda item number 11)
http://www.cherwell.ukcouncil.net/site/player/pl_compact.php?a=43146&t=6638000&m=wm&l=en_GB
MONDAY 8TH AUGUST -
To be honest as expected OCC’s Scrutiny Committee voted 5 to 3 in favour of keeping the Cabinets decision to continue a contract signing process with Vridior. The good news from the meeting was that two Conservative Cllrs decided to abstain from the vote giving their reasons that they did not feel singing the contract was the right move. In typical fashion Captain Birds Eye (sorry slight typo) Cllr Keith Mitchell decided he needed to sit at the back of the meeting to cast his undemocratic eye over proceedings making sure he got the fair and un influenced result he wanted!
However, some alarming facts did come out. How can a scrutiny committee possibly examine a decision when THEY are NOT given all of the information. Again the vitally important “YELLOW or PINK” FINANCIAL PAPERS (depends which copy you have seen our where white!) were excluded. These are core to one of the biggest contentious issues regarding this contract and what it actually commits Oxfordshires residents to. Apparently County Councillors “just don’t have the time to read all the emails and information they are sent” quotes one Cllr. How can you possibly cast an opinion and represent your residents when you have not bothered to read up on or even opened notes that have been prepared and sent to you?
MONDAY 8TH AUGUST -
Ardley Against Incinerator announced in its submission to the OCC Scrutiny Committee that the incinerator contract at Ardley Quarry would in fact cost in EXCESS of £634 million pounds over its 25 year life or approx £25 million per year. Not only this but OCC will have to pay Viridor at least £6 million pounds in compensation should they sign a contract and it NOT be fulfilled by July 2011. It gets EVEN better FOR Viridor if OCC DO NOT sign a contract they will have to pay Viridor in excess of approx £38,000,000 pounds in compensation and increased costs if it is not fulfilled. To say there were uncomfortable expressions from the OCC officers and the no doubt expensive legal and financial consultants is an understatement. One of the best moments or worst uses of a poker face was when one of A.A.I. was surrounded by OCC’S Andrew Pau, Cllr Ian Hudspeth and a financial consultant as to how AAI were in possession of these secret financial figures.
HOW on earth this can be a good deal when it favours no one but Viridor and leaves Oxfordshire’s residents with a substantial bill for money that could have been spent on far far better projects and services across the county instead of giving in to bully boy sales tactics from a company that wants to deliver old and out of date solutions to simply fill its pockets and those of its share holders.
MONDAY 2ND AUGUST -
An all party group of County Councilors has called in the decision made by the OCC Cabinet on 27th July to progress with the signing of a contract with Viridor. This means that the decision will be considered at a special meeting of the “Growth & Infrastructure Scrutiny Committee” on Monday 9th August at 10 am at County Hall.
Although the committee cannot reverse the Cabinet’s decision it can ask / recommend
the Cabinet to re-
The call-
THURSDAY 29TH JULY -
As the title indicates, after 15 days the Ardley Fields Farm EFW (sorry incinerator) Planning Inquiry closed yesterday afternoon.
To all of you for your support and dedication it was noticed by the inspectors and it has made a massive difference. If you were writing letters, sending emails, making calls, putting up banners, printing, distributing leaflets, posing for photos, donating funds, signing petitions
or just being able to attend the inquiry for a couple of hours, a big thank you.
Summing up the last three and a half weeks in one paragraph seems unfair, hopefully the words of Mr Bedford (Barrister representing OCC's Planning Committee decision) will do it better justice than we can.
"The sensible overall conclusion is that this is not a proposal which on its own merits deserves to succeed. It amounts to a short term gain in terms of achieving targets at the cost of long term pain for the receiving environment and for the communities affected by the decision. This is indeed a case where "the folks" and their elected representatives (OCC Planning Committee) have reached the right conclusion about what is best for the places in which they live. They deserve to have that decision respected by the Secretary of State. For all these reasons the inspectors are invited to recommend that the appeal is dismissed."
There is still a fair way to go before we can finally put this application to bed, below is an approximate timetable of what happens next based on similar previous inquiry outcomes.
Environment Agency Permitting Consultation -
(consultation closes)
Planning Inspector's Report -
Secretary of State's Decision -
(can be 6 months but tends to be 2 to 3)
Challenge Stage -
(opportunity to challenge the decision by both sides)
In the meantime we will still be working towards the second planning application hearing by OCC's planning committee which will potentially be in September 2010. If there is an additional piece of good news from the last three weeks, it is the amount of information and advice we have been able to pick up that will make the second application fight a lot easier.
Finally, a big thank you again to everyone and to the following parties for their dedication and support since our first ever meeting back in July 2008!
Bucknell & Middleton Stoney Parish Councils, Bicester Print, Cherwell DC, CPRE, FOE Oxfordshire, B430 Traffic Group, Plan Aid, Sam @ NewsQuest, SAVI, SCAI, Tusmore Estate and Weston Front.
TUESDAY 27TH JULY -
This morning Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet voted to continue with the procurement process with Viridor Waste Management and look to complete the signing of a legally and financially binding contract by September 2010. Admittedly this is not shock news but it is disappointing that again O.C.C. are not listening to the overwhelming opinion against this process. There are still to many unanswered questions about the content of this contract, what it contains and the size of financial compensation packages that will be due to Viridor should the contract not be
fulfilled by July 2011. We will have more on this during the week
including some example financial figures.
MONDAY JULY 26TH -
This week the rule 6 parties will make visits to an incinerator plant development near Heathrow and the M4/M25 Jct on Monday afternoon. Tuesday morning sees the Planning Inspector making a site visit to Ardley Fields Farm, Ardley & Bucknell villages and other important points of interest that have been discussed during the planning inquiry. Wednesday will be the last day of the current inquiry with closing submissions from Viridor, Oxfordshire CC, Cherwell DC and other rule six parities including Bucknell Parish Council. We will hopefully have confirmation of decision
timelines in the next few days.
THURSDAY JULY 15TH -
BBC Oxford highlighted today the question surrounding OCC’s plans to continue with the contract procurement process. OCC will hold a meeting on July 27th at 10am in County Hall to formally discuss signing a financially and legally binding
contract with Viridor. MORE NEWS TO FOLLOW SHORTLY
TUESDAY JULY 13TH -
The enquiry moves into its second week having already heard a wealth of excellent evidence from Barristers supporting O.C.C’s Planning Committee, Cherwell District Council, Tusmore Estate, Bucknell and Ardley Parish Councils and several other Rule 6 Parties who are all against the proposed plans.
Today has been set aside by the inspector to let members of the public air their views to the enquiry. Ardley Against Incinerator has been granted a spot after lunch to share the campaigns views and pose more unanswered questions of Viridor.
Viridor will start giving their evidence on Wednesday this week and run into week 3.
If you are able to attend on any day even just for an hour that would be appreciated.
TUESDAY JULY 6TH -
The waiting is finally over and on Tuesday morning 6th July 2010 @ 10.00am the Ardley Incinerator Public Planning Enquiry will begin.
As you would expect Viridor, their consultants and the commercial arm of Oxfordshire County Council are putting everything into making sure they win this appeal, at all costs! So much so, OCC are already scheduling and holding meetings to discuss the signing of contracts with Viridor despite no decisions made or permissions granted by anyone.
At the moment it looks like the enquiry will last between 3 to 4 weeks (possibly longer), depending on the introduction of further evidence and expert witnesses from the various parties. The enquiry is being held at Cherwell District Council's offices (address below) and will start at approximately 9.30am (info below)
This is where we your need support... We need as many of you as possible to attend the opening morning, not just for the Planning Inspector to see the weight of support against the plans but also Viridor and O.C.C.
Day 1 Agenda -
Please arrive by -
Photo shoots -
Morning session -
Lunch -
Afternoon session -
Inquiry Location
Cherwell District Council
Bodicote House
White Post Road
Banbury
Oxon
OX15 4AA
You can still help if you are unable to make Tuesday by forwarding this email onto as many people as possible from your contacts. Together we have overturned
this application once and we CAN do it again.
As always thank you for all of you continued help and support.
WEDNESDAY 30TH JUNE -
Despite Viridor NOT currently being granted any form of planning permission and being involved in a public planning enquiry it appears Oxfordshire County Council are happy to continue with the “Waste Procurement Contract Process.” O.C.C. will be holding an extraordinary meeting at County Hall on July 27th to move this process along with the possibility of a final contract being signed possibly by September.
Maybe this is normal business practice?!
How then when your chosen supplier has its 1st application overturned, is involved in a public enquiry and then submits a second planning application at the same time
CAN YOU POSSIBLY ENGAGE IN SIGNING A LEGALLY BINDING CONTRACT?!
TUESDAY 29TH JUNE -
At 10am next Tuesday 6th July the long awaited Public Planning enquiry begins into Viridor’s application to build an industrial waste incineration plant at Ardley Quarry. The enquiry is being held at Cherwell District Council’s offices in Banbury. The enquiry is due to run for to 3 to 4 weeks under the current timetable and will hear evidence from all parties.
There is still time to get involved and have your views heard by the inspector. If you would like to speak at the enquiry you need to register with the planning inspector on the first morning of the enquiry. If you are unable to attend you can submit your comments in writing to the Planning Inspector or Oxfordshire County Council’s Enquiry officer who has a duty to pass comments on. Several Parish Councils are organising car and
attendance rotas so make contact with you village PC members to find out more.
Any support you can give is as always greatly appreciated.
MONDAY 28TH JUNE -
Just to let you know that the current public consultation period by O.C.C. for Viridor’s 2nd and virtually similar incinerator planning application is due to close on Thursday 8th July. CLICK HERE to find out what you can do to fight this
second and underhand application.
WEDNESDAY 21ST APRIL -
Several Groups met this morning at Ardley with Fewcott village hall for a “pre inquiry meeting” as part of the planning appeal and public enquiry process. Representatives for O.C.C, Cherwell District Council, Oxford Friends of the Earth and the Parish Councils of Ardley w Fewcott, Bucknell and Middleton Stoney met planning inspectors who will be hearing Viridor’s appeal. The appeal has been lodged against Oxfordshire County Council’s planning committee decision (20th October 2009) to overturn Viridor’s planning application for an incinerator plant at Ardley Quarry.
As with similar incinerator appeals Viridor are involved in (Cardiff, East Lothian, Devon & Cornwall) they have thrown their corporate weight behind their campaign employing national law firm Beavan Brittan LLP (focused on Major Corporates, Health and Communities & Local Government) and a heavy weight barrister who recently worked on the Bicester Asylum Center proposal.
The appeal will currently commence on Tuesday 6th July 2010 and could last
for 3 to 4 weeks. A venue has not been decided as of this update but it is believed planning inspectors try to favor a location as close to the site of the proposed development.
As soon as more information becomes available we will update you and also share what you can do to fight Viridor and their planning appeal.
Monday 5th April -
Viridor have submitted a second and apparently new planning application for their
proposed 300,000 tonne incinerator plant at Ardley Quarry. As of this update the
documents are being verified by OCC as a true application so info is sketchy. However,
we have been assured by OCC that for this 2nd application to be granted planning
permission “it would need to be drastically different from their 1st and rejected
application”. In an Interview on BBC Radio Oxford’s Bill Heine Show (Friday 9th April
4-
MONDAY 4th January 2010 -
Viridor have announced that they will appeal the decision made by Oxfordshire County Council’s Planning Department back in October 2009 to reject Viridor’s planning application for an Incineration Plant based at Ardley Quarry for the next 25 years.
As Ardley Against Incinerator said at the time of the planning decision
“Today’s result is fantastic news but the battle is far from over. There is no doubt in our minds that Viridor will appeal this decision as they are doing with their other applications for similar plants and developments in Cardiff Bay and East Lothian.”
Today’s news launches round 2 of the battle and we will once again need everyone's hard work and help to make sure that the current ruling is not overturned,
Viridor claim it is all about “Oxfordshire’s need”, really? It seems more about Viridor’s want!!!
As details and information are release about the next stages, the appeal process and what we will all need to do to continue the fight we will be uploading information onto this web site so keep checking back over the next few weeks. As always thanks for all the hard work and support so far.
Below is a copy of the Viridor appeal press release....
Press release For immediate release 4 January 2010
Viridor appeals planning decision on energy from waste plant
Viridor, one of the UK’s leading recycling, waste management and renewable energy companies, is appealing Oxfordshire County Council’s Planning and Regulation Committee’s decision to refuse planning permission for an Energy from Waste facility at its existing landfill and recycling site in Ardley.
The move comes after the committee went against recommendation from its own planning officers in October and refused permission citing the building of a large permanent building in the countryside.
Viridor is clear that there is a strong case to appeal as there is an essential need for a local treatment facility to help the council manage its residual waste more sustainably and to avoid costly fines and increasing landfill taxes, particularly important in the current economic climate.
Viridor demonstrated that its proposals fully met the county’s residual waste treatment
and disposal needs in a more sustainable way, while delivering value for money to
the tax-
Viridor has submitted documentation to the Planning Inspectorate which will be reviewed and validated in the next few days. Once validated, the Planning Inspectorate will confirm an appeal date for representations to be made by all parties.
Speaking on the decision to appeal, Robert Ryan, Viridor project manager, said,
“We were very disappointed by the original planning decision. Our proposal has been
designed to provide a safe and cost-
“Our site is already an established waste management site with good access to the road network. Statutory bodies such as the Highways Agency and the Environment Agency were satisfied that there were no significant negative impacts on the local area. On the contrary, our proposal delivers significant economic and other benefits, including the creation of jobs and the production of electricity.
“As Oxfordshire’s preferred bidder, we are keen to move forward in providing the
county with a much needed first-
Viridor’s proposed EfW facility has been designed to process up to 300,000 tonnes
of residual, non-
THURSDAY 22nd OCTOBER -
£650 million over 25 years!
(does not allow for inflation or natural increases in costs over 25 years)
Oxford Mail today lifted the lid on the real cost of an Incinerator at Ardley.
OCC DO NOT want you to know these figures, in fact so badly OCC took legal action against the press to prevent today’s story being run earlier in the week. Figures for the planning proposal at Sutton Courtenay are rumored to be possibly greater, over £800 million are also being kept under wraps. High Court ruling (1st Oct 2009) found in favor of Campaigners in Nottinghamshire. The Judge found financial figures should be made public as it WAS of public interest for residents to see how the County Council would be spending “their” money and if it was in a “value for money” format. No doubt OCC won’t have the manners or openness to share information but yet again climb into their ivory tower and hide!
**TUESDAY 20TH OCTOBER 2009 -
Short and sweet for once..! A massive thank you to everyone for the last 2 years who wrote letters, sent emails, made calls, delivered leaflets, put up banners and most of all gave their time to the campaign.
WITHOUT YOU THIS DECISION WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED
THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT
**** NEWS JUST IN MONDAY 19th OCTOBER 2009 1.30PM****
VIRIDOR PLANNING APPLICATION OVERTURNED
This afternoon Viridor’s Ardley Incinerator planning application was rejected by OCC Planning Committee 8 VOTES TO 5 at County Hall.
Despite Cllr Catherine Fulljames being prevented from voting and treated disgracefully, the Planning Committee overturned the application that had been recommended (OCC Cabinet) and chosen as preferred bidder back in September.
“ROUND 1 TO THE VILLAGES”
There is no doubt that Viridor, similar to recent losses (Cardiff & Scotland applications) will appeal against the OCC planning Committee decision in due course. Already this afternoon Robert Ryan (Viridor Spokesman) read a statement that confirmed the company would be reviewing the decision and its position. Celebration time for now, as and when an appeal arises we will be ready to fight.
MONDAY 19TH OCTOBER 2009 -
Monday morning 10th October OCC’s planning committee will meet to decide the fate of our village Ardley with Fewcott. If you are free please come along and add your continued support to the campaign. Will be gathering from 9.15am outside.
MONDAY 19TH OCTOBER 2009
OCC PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING
OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
COUNTY HALL
NEW ROAD
OXFORD
OX1 1ND
Parking -
Park & Ride -
County Hall -
10th OCTOBER 2009 -
If you live in Arldey w Fewcott, Bucknell and Middleton Stoney you should have had delivered through your door a copy of the info pack. This contains all the information you need to compile and send your objections letters to the planning committee before Monday 19th October. If not to find out more click on the
“INFORMATION PACK LINK” on the left.
9th OCTOBER 2009 -
OCC have published the 19th October “PLANNING MEETING AGENDA”. Not great news for Ardley with recommendations to the committee that the proposal should be APPROVED as long as the conditions are met. Click below to read the report.
7th OCTOBER 2009 -
Thanks for those that could make the meeting last night. The information pack and also dates for your diary will be uploaded over the next few days. Please also keep Monday 19th October free if you can for a gathering outside the OCC planning Meeting to show our mass of support from across the the county and district against the proposed plans.
ARDLEY w FEWCOTT VILLAGE MEETING 7.30PM
Everyone is invited to a village meeting 7.30pm, AwF village hall on Tuesday 6th. The meeting will last no longer than an hour. Come and find out what you can do and what the next steps are in fighting the proposed plans of OCC that willdamage our villages for the next 25 years.
16th SEPTEMBER 2009 -
OCC’s scrutiny committee voted 7 -
8th SEPTEMBER 2009 -
12 OCC members signed petitions against Monday’s OCC decision to choose Ardley & Viridor as preferred bidder for the waste incinerator proposal. In two letters to the leader, 12 members called into question the competence of the proposal including process, decision, outcome and technology amongst other items. This is great news for the campaign to see members of OCC fighting the proposed incinerator plans.
8th September 2009 -
The Conservative leader of OCC Cllr Keith Mitchell once again displayed why his competency needs to be questioned. In responses to the overwhelming support against OCC’s incinerator proposals all Cllr Mitchell could muster up was insults. In his remarks he made comparisons to campaigners as deaf, mute and disabled! Not the first evidence of his contempt for the people who elect him. In several email and written replies Cllr Mitchell chooses to attack, ridicule and offend the constituents he is supposed to be looking after.
7th SEPTEMBER 2009 -
Ardley Fields & Viridor were chosen today by OCC as its preferred bidder & location for OCC’s Waste Incinerator Project. In what can only be described as a farce of a meeting the cabinet made their 25 year decision in a matter of hours despite strong opposition, questioning and protest. In what was supposed to be a blind application process despite Cllr Keith Mitchell the identities of Tender 1 & Tender 2 had been worked out by cabinet the decision was made. Disastrous news for Ardley and the surrounding 19 parishes and residents whose Health Wealth and Happiness will be damaged. It is now time for everyone to step up and help fight the campaign – NO INCINERATOR AT ARDLEY!
6th FEBRUARY 2009 -
Bicester Town Council are supporting C.D.C’s decision to oppose the Ardley Incinerator plans. In a statement from the office of Mayor B.T.C. are deeply concerned over the proposal and the consequences it would bring to local residents & business.”
4th FEBRUARY 2009 -
Cherwell District Council have unanimously voted NO to the proposed
Ardley Incinerator plans. In their response to OCC, CDC have listed several concerns including effects to traffic, health, environment and process. CDC have promised they will use everything in their power to fight the plans including Governmental Judicial Review if O.C.C. give Ardley Quarry the to go ahead.
2nd FEBRUARY 2009 -
Over 30 children from Ardley with Fewcott have formed an action group joining forces with A.A.I. To fight the Ardley Incinerator plans. Jake (11) of Water Lane, Ardley spearheaded the group. In 2005 a successful battle against a mobile phone mast in the village was driving force for the group to reform. A.F.K.A.G. have sent objections to John Duncalfe.
20th JANUARY 2009 -
20 Parish Councils within a 15 mile radius of Ardley Quarry have signed a letter of objection addressed to the Secretary of State Hazel Blears. The comprehensive letter lists a catalogue of serious objections to O.C.C.’S proposed incinerator development plans by Viridor at Ardley Quarry. The legal letter starts a possible process of legal Judicial Review against O.C.C. and its proposed plans.
4th JANUARY 2009 -
650 signatures were collected during an afternoon of campaigning at Bicester Tesco. A.A.I. said “It is great to see the amount of people who are very concerned and feel the proposed Ardley Incinerator plans are wrong and should be kicked out by O.C.C.” A.A.I.’S petition has collected over 2500 signatures to date showing the weight of opposition from local residents and businesses against the proposed plans.
