Health fears are 'scare stories'

COUNTY council leader Peter Jones dismissed health concerns about incinerators as 'scare stories' at the final annual meeting of the Newhaven Economic Partnership.

Up to 50 people gathered at the Denton Island Training and Business Centre on Thursday last week to hear what he had to say.

Cllr Jones, one of the most vocal advocates for a waste burner in Newhaven, attempted to allay fears.

'Misleading information has been pumped out based on the performance of old style, and now banned, incinerators. Today's technology is completely different,' he said.

'Modern incinerators are safe and I invite people from Newhaven to come and see for themselves. We plan to arrange visits to modern facilities so that residents can form their own opinions.

'The county council is looking into how it could bring more community facilities to Newhaven, along with the possibility of cheap electricity. Contrary to the scare stories, an incinerator could bring jobs to the town and it will be safe.'

Joelle van Tinteren, chairman of anti-incinerator campaigners DOVE (Defenders of the Ouse Valley and Estuary) wasn't impressed.

She said: 'The audience at the meeting have moved on from the tired old arguments as to the safety of incineration.'

The county was still asking the wrong questions.

She added: 'There are three questions they should be asking. How much does it cost to build an incinerator, staffed by 25 people, and how much will we pay in gate fees over 25 or more years for every tonne of rubbish that goes through to be burnt?

'What income will we get when we sell our separated rubbish to the composting and recycling companies ? And how is it done?'

Recycling was the key, she said:

'In our minds the answer to the first two is obvious we would rather see many more jobs created and make money from rubbish.'

She added: 'The answer to the third question was sent to all councils in January in the form of a booklet called How to comply with the Landfill Directive Without Incineration.'