Washington celebrates as landfill application is refused

In a meeting that lasted almost three hours on Tuesday, West Sussex County Council's planning committee refused permission for a scheme that would have the site used as an inert landfill site for the next 24 years,handling 5.5 million tonnes of waste under proposals.

The site had been targeted as a potential landfill site by Veolia ES Landfill Ltd, even though it was not on the list of potential sites drawn up by West Sussex County Council.

For the last three years, the locally-based Chanctonbury Landfill Action Group has fought a constant battle to prevent the unwanted scheme going ahead.

Around 50 campaigners had travelled to County Hall to make a peaceful protest before the meeting. Afterwards, chairman of the group, John Auckland, said: " I hope that Veolia has the commonsense not to appeal. I am very pleased with the outcome and relieved for the people who live in and around Washington."

County councillor Frank Wilkinson, who represents the area, had been unable to speak on the issue for the last three years because he was a cabinet member said: "I've had to keep quiet for three hard, long years, but I am absolutely delighted for the people and Washington that this has been turned down."

Erica Sheward, director of Castle Kitchens - the biggest employer in Washington,expressed her relief at the decision.

She said:" I condemn the whole application. It was a disgrace and pathetic.The decision is a massive relief to everyone. Now we can get on with what we are doing."

For full story and comment see West Sussex Gazette February 11