Agenda item

B Report of Director for Regeneration, Enterprise and Planning (Copy herewith).

2.1         Cabinet approved (subject to 2.2 below) the principle of this Council entering into agreements that could lead to the disposal of parts of Westbridge Depot, situated within the total area identified edged red upon the plan at Appendix 1 of the report.

2.2         Cabinet directed the Director of Regeneration Enterprise and Planning, working with other relevant professional officers, to prepare a report for the Cabinet Member for Regeneration Enterprise and Planning detailing the benefits, risks, costs & savings and other associated issues connected with a ‘waste to energy’ installation being located at Westbridge Depot.

2.3      Cabinet agreed subject to the approval of the Cabinet Member (detailed at 2.2) of the general principle of supporting a waste to energy operation at Westbridge. Cabinet delegated to the Director of Regeneration, Enterprise and Planning the authority to agree the terms of any contractual arrangements for the grant of a land option (in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Enterprise and Planning).

Councillor Glynane addressed Cabinet and commented that the report offered a lack of consultation and noted that the Cabinet had been previously held to account for not consulting residents adequately. He stated that not only had the businesses at Westbridge not been consulted but nor had residents in the area and therefore no decision on the matter should be made at present. He further noted that the Council had a consultation guide which had not been followed and commented that he had communicated with one of the affected businesses who stated that they had been contacted by the Council to be told about a press release relating to the proposed disposal of land and that was as far as the consultation process had been exercised.

Councillor Ashraf commented that as the Ward Councillor, she would like to see much more detailed information put out to residents about the ‘waste to energy’ proposal as there was a lot of concern about pollution and foul smells. She also questioned whether consideration had been given to the increase in pollution from the higher numbers of HGV’s traffic.

Councillor Mennell commented that she was worried about health aspects of having a chimney and stated that an incinerator would be advantageous but would not be ideally suited to being at the Westbridge Depot site.

Councillor Beardsworth commented she had visited a similar plant to the proposed Westbridge Depot and commented that it had been in a very rural location by the sea, which had been done so, to eliminate the smell from the area. She noted that the smell was overwhelming and that no one would want that one on their doorstep and noted that most other authorities had put them in isolated areas. She further questioned the logic of the proposed decision and suggested that too much consideration was given to the financial aspects of the disposal of land and asked that Cabinet reconsider.

Councillor Hadland as the relevant Cabinet Member submitted a report and commented that the Council had been approached by a highly technical and advanced company, in partnership with the County Council and Enterprise, looking to develop on the site. He further stated that the report acknowledged that any proposal involve a lot of detail and studies and therefore an ‘in principle’ decision ensures the interested company that the Council would not renegade on an agreement. He further commented that there had been much reference to incinerators which the ‘waste to energy’ was not, as no waste was being burned and reported that further consultation would take place with businesses and residents.

The Leader commented that there had been much said about incinerators, but confirmed that there would not be an incinerator as there would be no burning of waste. He thanked Councillor Ashraf for her work with residents and stated that there was a duty of care to residents and that there needs would be fully considered prior to any applications made to the planning process.

RESOLVED:

2.1         Cabinet approved (subject to 2.2 below) the principle of this Council entering into agreements that could lead to the disposal of parts of Westbridge Depot, situated within the total area identified edged red upon the plan at Appendix 1 of the report.

2.2         Cabinet directed the Director of Regeneration Enterprise and Planning, working with other relevant professional officers, to prepare a report for the Cabinet Member for Regeneration Enterprise and Planning detailing the benefits, risks, costs & savings and other associated issues connected with a ‘waste to energy’ installation being located at Westbridge Depot.

2.3      Cabinet agreed subject to the approval of the Cabinet Member (detailed at 2.2) of the general principle of supporting a waste to energy operation at Westbridge. Cabinet delegated to the Director of Regeneration, Enterprise and Planning the authority to agree the terms of any contractual arrangements for the grant of a land option (in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Enterprise and Planning).