For the latest news about the BALI campaign and issues directly relating to:
- BALI Events
- the new BALI Membership scheme
- the House of Commons Visit,
- the Link Road,
- the Bexhill Cemetery Site,
- Campaign News and other matters,
please see the new BALI News Blog
Campaign Latest: 7th February 2012
Bexhill Against Landfill and Incineration
BALI AGM
The 2011 BALI Annual General Meeting was held at Highwoods Golf Club on Monday 30th January 2012.
Colin Bennett was elected as Acting Chairman - please view the Chairman's Speech (pdf format). This recaps activity throughout 2011 and also looks to the future, as BALI's campaign is not yet over.
Further details from the AGM will be published shortly so please check back for the latest information.
7th November 2011
GREAT NEWS! BUT IT’S NOT ALL OVER YET!
“Be vigilant!” BALI Consultant advises.
Did you see the headline in the Bexhill Observer on October 7th: 'Landfill Plan for Brickworks To Be Dumped'?
This refers to East Sussex County Council’s new draft WASTE AND MINERALS PLAN (WMP) which reflects that at last the Council has listened to the views of BALI, Rother District Council and the people of Bexhill and has ‘dropped’ from their new plan the proposal for a giant waste dump at Ashdown Brickworks, which would have such a disastrous effect on the local area.
The good news came first in a press release on 4th October from ESCC stating “we have reviewed the need for landfill at Ashdown Brickwork (which is already identified in the current Waste Local Plan) and found that there is no need to include it.' We believe this reflects the growing recycling of waste in the County and the recovery of the remainder by modern technologies (NB the ERF facility at Newhaven is now open).
The draft plan itself, which was approved the week following by the ESCC Cabinet, expands on ESCC’s reasons for not pursuing landfill at Ashdown as follows:
Firstly it states that 'no proposals have come forward'. Local authorities don’t create landfill sites; that is down to private waste contractors and the site-owners. We know that the Ashdown site owners Ibstock Brick Ltd and the waste contractor Cory Environmental Ltd had made an agreement to develop a landfill at Ashdown and had discussed this with ESCC, but clearly something must have gone wrong – or else they feared the wrath of the Bexhill public!
Secondly, the Council finally accepted BALI and Rother District Council’s submissions that development of the site for landfill depended on the completion of a new highway infrastructure in the area including not only the Hastings-Bexhill link road but the so-called Country Avenue (to Preston Hall Farm) and then various extensions of this road to reach the brickworks. All the latter, which are not even on the drawing-board, could not possibly be constructed within the period of the plan and the Link Road itself is currently subject to the government’s granting the necessary finance. We’ve been telling them this for ages!
We are convinced there are other reasons why Ashdown has been dropped as a potential landfill, particularly its closeness to the Highwoods SSSI, other local amenities, residences, the new Bexhill High School etc. but they are not going to state these reasons as this would admit they were wrong in the first place to include Ashdown in the ‘Waste Local Plan’. This latter plan is current law but, as they put it, “it is not proposed to save the site specific allocation of Ashdown Brickworks in the Waste Local Plan”.
BALI’s view is that finally it was the united opposition of BALI, the Council, our MP Greg Barker and the people of Bexhill that caused this change of heart. However, let’s give credit to East Sussex for changing their mind not only over landfill at Ashdown, but also the proposed landraise sites in the beautiful countryside of the Low Weald. The Waste and Minerals Plan, in fact, contains no plans for any landfill sites in the whole of the county. The Council are transforming their approach to waste, not only seeking greater reduction and recycling of waste but treating residual waste as a resource either for the material itself or for energy and heat.
Let’s give them every support!
So Why DO We Say It Isn't All Over?
Because so far the Waste and Minerals Plan is only a draft plan for consultation. This consultation has just started and continues until 8th December 2011: (for details see the ESCC website – ESCC Factsheet No 3 PDF
According to the results ESCC will prepare a ‘revised’ version of the plan for Government (more consultation again) in Spring/Summer 2012. There will then be a Public Examination of the Plan by an independent Inspector who may either approve it or reject it.
Why would anyone oppose the plan to reject Ashdown as a potential landfill site?’
We need to be aware that there are in fact people who will not like this plan and may challenge it, either in the consultation or in the courts. Such opposition may come from the following quarters:
- The site-owners (Ibstock Brick Ltd.) A landfill in one of the pits at Ashdown while Ibstock continue to excavate the other for clay would not only substantially increase the company’s profits but complete most of the restoration of the site that otherwise they would be obliged to do at their own expense.
- Waste contractors looking for landfill opportunities in the area.
- Many Hastings Councillors, including the Council Leader, oppose the plan and made their views known loudly clear at the Cabinet meeting to approve the draft (There are various reasons for this).
- County Councils in the South of England are concerned that ESCC will want to export their landfill waste to them, as they do currently and will almost certainly wish to continue and perhaps increase when the Pebsham landfill closes. They might question why they should accept such waste when ESCC had already identified a possible landfill site at Ashdown.
So What Will BALI Do?
Don’t misunderstand! BALI are celebrating the news but with sparkling wine, not champagne. We owe it to our supporters, to make sure the devilish Ashdown landfill proposal is well and truly buried and nailed down in its coffin! Our plans are therefore:
- To participate in the current consultation on the draft Waste and Minerals Plan to support it and in particular its rejection of Ashdown as a landfill site.
- Encourage other bodies (eg Rother District Council), groups and local residents to similarly respond in the consultation.
- Continue to instruct our legal planning consultants DMHS Stallard to represent us and the people of Bexhill until the plan has been completely approved.
- Oppose any planning application by Ibstock to create a landfill under the old (but still current) Waste Local Plan.
- Seek clarification of Ibstock’s future intentions regarding the site, specifically regarding how they intend to restore it to a public leisure amenity as required by their current mineral license.
If you have questions about the current position, please do not hesitate to contact BALI.
June 2011
Ashdown Maniraptoran:
World's Smallest Dinosaur Found in Ashdown Brickworks
World’s smallest dinosaur found in Sussex
The Ashdown Maniraptoran, a foot-long, 7oz, dinosaur was uncovered at the site of the Ashdown Brickworks in Bexhill.
Experts have now declared it is the smallest non-avian dinosaur ever discovered.
Click on the image to enlarge the article.
Read a related article 'World's smallest dinosaur found in Sussex' on the Evening Argus website.
POSTPONEMENT NOTICE of the BALI AGM
The BALI AGM, set for Monday, 4th July has been postponed but is currently being re-scheduled. Please check back soon or follow our blog or twitter feed for details of the rescheduled date.
WANTED:- BALI need a Social Secretary or a team.
With the successful launch of our membership scheme (currently in excess of 250 members), we need someone to organise social events during the year. If you are willing to undertake this role then please contact Colin Bennett via email info@nolandfillatbexhill.org.uk or our Mobile No.07814 895874.
Jan 2011
BALI Membership Scheme now live!
As promised, the BALI membership scheme is now launched!
You may have read that local MP Greg Barker was officially recruited as our first member, as reported in the Bexhill Observer on 31st Dcember 2010 (for details of the article please see our News Blog).
We are now looking to sign up 1,000 members from Bexhill and Rother. For only £5 (£3 for students) or £10 for companies or affiliated groups, sign up to be a member of BALI and help fight the landfill proposal.
Please Download a copy of the Membership Application formcomplete it and return it to BALI, PO Box 194, Bexhill on Sea TN40 9BD.
Thank you for your support.
Key Stakeholder Meeting
On Friday 29th October there gathered, in the august surroundings of the Council Chamber in Bexhill Town Hall, representatives of Bexhill and Rother residents, community groups and amenities, together with local councillors, to discuss with East Sussex County Council (ESCC)their plans for the future management of waste and how these might affect Bexhill. As you all know, Ashdown Brickworks in Turkey Road is being considered as a landfill site for the disposal of waste.
All the key ESCC decision-makers were present including Cllr. Matthew Lock, Lead Cabinet Member, Transport and Environment, Rupert Clubb, Director of Transport and Environment and Tony Cook, Head of Planning.
We were also pleased to welcome our MP, Greg Barker, Minister of State at the Department of Energy and Climate Change who took time out of his busy Westminster schedule to address the meeting on the government’s latest waste and planning policies.
Read the full report on our BALI news blog
Bexhill Achievers Recognition for BALI
BALI was nominated for the Environment Award at the Bexhill Achievers Ceremony on Friday 17th September.
BALI members were delighted to be presented with the Highly Commended Award. This was accepted by Nick Hollington on behalf of the group who felt it was a reward for 8 years of effort and dedication by the group in campaigning against the proposed landfill at Ashdown.
BALI were presented with a framed certificate which will be on display for the first time at the Town Forum on Tuesday 21st September.
BALI Announces new Membership Scheme
Register Now to become a Member of BALI!
We have decided to reorganize BALI as a broad-based membership association, open to all Rother residents. For a nominal subscription you will receive a quarterly newsletter and the right to vote on important matters at the AGM.
BALI's aim is simply to stop the landfill. We started our campaign in 2002 with a small group of residents. Through widespread public support, we have become a force with which to be reckoned.
To register for membership, please:
- email BALI info@nolandfillatbexhill.org.uk, stating your name, address, contact phone no. and email address, or if you would prefer,
- download and complete the final section of the registration form (pdf format), and send it to BALI, PO Box 194, Bexhill on Sea, East Sussex TN40 9BD.
We will contact you with full details of our membership scheme and a full application form.
Please indicate if you would also be willing to play a more active part in our campaign, for example, serving on committees, researching, organizing or assisting canvassing or fundraising events.
Thank you for your support.
BALI Visit to House of Commons 11th June 2010
BALI demonstrated at Westminster sending a very firm message that landfill is not for Bexhill!
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We gathered on Parliament Square to be photographed by both Meridian TV and others including some very interested passers by, and with the wonderful backdrop of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben.
BALI Chairman, Nick Hollington was interviewed by Meridian, and we were then joined by Greg Barker, our very supportive MP, who wasn't averse to holding a placard saying 'Don't dump on Bexhill'.
Please read the full report and campaign latest on the BALI Blog.
Bexhill Cemetery Will Expand Despite Threat of Landfill
On 18th March 2010, Rother District Council Planning Committee decided to grant a new planning application (RR/2010/1783R) to extend Bexhill Cemetery in St Mary’s Lane almost to the border of the Ashdown Brickworks.
Unless ESCC withdraws its renewed proposal to allocate Ashdown for waste landfill and site-owners Ibstock decline to proceed with their landfill planning application, mourners visiting their loved ones or attending their burial will be faced with all the horrors of a rotting dump within perhaps as little as 50 yards.
The approved application represents a renewal of the permission of change of use granted under a previous application (RR/2006/3294/3R) whereby RDC would compulsorily purchase a substantial (2.92 hectares) field of agricultural land to the west of the current cemetery. It is understood that proceedings in this respect are already underway and the purchase is hoped to be completed before next summer.
The renewed application, passed unanimously by the Committee, demonstrates the determination of the Council to proceed with its plan to extend the Cemetery despite the proposal for an Ashdown landfill. They are required to provide for the burial needs of the local population and the existing cemetery is almost at full capacity. The policy to extend the existing cemetery has long been designated in the Rother District Local Plan (Policy BX10).
When the previous application was submitted, Ibstock fiercely objected to it, and when passed, took their objections as far as a Judicial Review in the High Court. It argued that the cemetery expansion was unsuitable as the quarry had been earmarked as a landfill site by the Waste Local Plan and that it hoped to use the field in question for stockpiling clay in this event. Their barrister stated that cemetery uses would expect "tranquillity" and this would be disturbed by the ‘noise of heavy machinery’ from the brickworks/landfill site and the visual impact had also not been considered. After two attempts, however, their challenge was finally dismissed on 13.1. 09 with costs awarded to RDC. (See Bexhill Observer 23.01.09).
The present application can perhaps be seen as a further challenge to Ibstock, laying ‘facts on the ground’ to dissuade them from their landfill plans. RDC made its opposition clear to the inclusion of Ashdown as a landfill site in ESCC’s Preferred Strategy for Waste during the recent consultation. The necessary expansion confirms their and BALI’s view that a landfill at Ashdown would be simply too close to local residences and amenities such as the Cemetery, the new Bexhill High School, the Highwoods and the Highwoods Golf Club.
Councillors were asked yesterday to consider the “attendant expectation of a quiet and peaceful atmosphere” at the Cemetery. It is not at all clear how such an atmosphere would be possible if both brickmaking and landfilling were to take place there, and consequently an increased amount of (waste) traffic to the site, all within earshot of cemetery users.
Nick Hollington, Chairman of BALI, writes "There would likely also be the screeching of seagulls who gather over such sites and the smell of rotting rubbish. Burrowing rats and foxes are also attracted to waste and might also turn their attention to graves. The air would likely be polluted by dust and; given the steepness of the cemetery it is inconceivable that any screening could fully hide this monstrous carbuncle on the landscape.
"Bexhill residents deserve better than to be faced with such horrors at such sensitive often distressing times when they visit their departed loved ones and the loved ones deserve better than a ‘plot by a dump’. But it is for Ibstock to withdraw its pernicious landfill plans not for the Council to withdraw its legitimate and necessary plans for the extension of the cemetery! A landfill would in any case be too close to the existing cemetery. A landfill is simply not wanted in this location- a beautiful quiet cemetery is."
Ibstock, through its lawyers, again objected to the current application on the grounds of "incompatibility with its present and future (landfilling) operations", that it is inconsistent with RDC’s Local Plan and that it contained no details of landscaping, screening etc. They also again argued that it was "premature" in the light of the field’s “potential use for stockpiling clay”.
The High Court previously rejected all these arguments given that Ibstock had no ownership rights over the field, that there was no current planning permission for a landfill (therefore its planned "future operations" were purely speculative) and that the Council did not have to address at this stage issues such as landscaping and screening. (Inevitably there will need to be in due course a full planning application by RDC to address these issues and create a suitable “buffer zone” (hedging etc.) between the Cemetery and the Brickworks.)
Thus while, of course, it is open to Ibstock to appeal against the Planning Committee’s decision there must be some doubt about whether they will. It is rather hoped that they will rather reconsider their plans for a landfill in such a sensitive location.
Nick Hollington BALI 19.03.2010
Read the related article: Cemetery to expand to within yards of landfill site published in the Bexhill Observer, 1st April 2010.
Read more about Ashdown Brickworks Site: Jurassic Park?
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