Expert called in over incinerator fight

A top scientist has been recruited by a parish council in South Staffordshire to help fight controversial plans for an incinerator in the village.

Essington Parish Council has called in Dr Van Steenis, who members say is an outstanding expert on incinerators.

A planning application for the incinerator, or biomass plant, was submitted to South Staffordshire Council, months after permission was granted to create a brick and tile-making factory at Essington Brickworks, Hobnock Road, after being 20 years in the pipeline.

Black Country Reclamation, which owns the site, had already cleared the site in preparation for the factory, that was first given approval in 1998.

But now the new planning application could see it used as a biomass plant, instead, to generate electricity for the National Grid.

Villagers in Essington have voiced concerns that roads will be clogged with dozens of lorries if the proposals get the go-ahead.

They have already held one public meeting to raise their concerns and now Essington Parish Council has arranged for Dr Van Steenis to speak at a second gathering.

Parish councillors have also voted to reject the plans, that will be discussed at a meeting of South Staffordshire Council on March 31.

District and parish Councillor David Clifft, chairman of Essington Parish Council, said today: "The parish council agreed at its full council meeting to hire the services of Dr Van Steenis.

"He is a recognised leading authority in the field of incinerators and their negative impact on communities. He will address residents at a public meeting to be held next week."

The public meeting where Dr Van Steenis will address residents will be held on March 26 at 7pm at Essington Community Centre.

It has cost in the region of £200-£300 to secure his services.

In recent months villagers have fought off plans by a skip firm to recycle nearly 40 tons of waste daily, and face disruption from the planned widening of the nearby M6 to four lanes.