Press Release: 24th October 2005

It has been confirmed to BALI that the Waste Local Plan is returning to ESCC for decision within the next four weeks. The Cabinet will meet on 15th November to hear the County Officers report and will then make recommendations to the full Council meeting on 6th December 2005.

The plan has been with ESCC Officers since the consultation on the county’s “Proposed Modifications” ended on 24th March 2005. BALI and Rother District Council both made expert submissions objecting to the use of Ashdown Brickworks for landfill as earmarked in the plan, and over 700 BALI supporters and local residents also made objections. Particular objections were made to a quoted start date of ‘2008’ and to the use of existing roads for a limited landfill operation (100,000 tonnes) . BALI, of course, opposes any use of Ashdown for landfill at any time because of its devastating effect on local residents and amenities and the Highwoods SSSI and beauty spot.

It is also considered likely, BALI understands, that, as ESCC need to move ahead swiftly with the plan in relation to the planned incinerator at Newhaven, the Cabinet meeting on 15th November may recommend simply “rubber stamping” the plan without any further amendments thereby apparently ignoring all the 8500 objections and suggestions made in the consultation. However, we have been advised that all comments made will be recorded and taken into account as and when any application to use the Ashdown Brick Works as a landfill is received. BALI would regard it a serious abuse of the consultation process if this is not adhered to.

BALI are in close discussions with Bexhill’s County Councillors as to how they will approach the coming meetings and is still pressing them to secure concessions in respect of Ashdown. A meeting was held in the Town Hall last Monday between Cllrs Dyason, Gubby and Gadd and the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of BALI at which the main issues were thoroughly aired. “The councillors, we understand, will be making their own statement shortly” said Chairman Nick Hollington “BALI will, of course, fight on.

Even if the county plan is accepted we will fight any planning application by a waste contractor to use the site. Currently county contractor Onyx continues to deny any immediate interest in Ashdown, but who knows what will happen in the future. The next stage, if the plan is approved, will be to gather knowledge for an Environmental Assessment and to press on seeking alternative uses for the quarry in the long-term future.”