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Incinerator plans - mayor claims "the wheels are coming off"
Scheme could be put off by 14 months, or even not come to Bedford
'The wheels are coming off' plans to burn waste from across the region in Stewartby after a legal wrangle, Mayor of Bedford Dave Hodgson claimed this week.
Covanta's controversial 'energy from waste' incinerator project would import rubbish from across the region to Rookery Pit near Stewartby.
The legal wrangle stems from an issue raised by Covanta with Bucks County Council, details of which cannot be revealed for commercial reasons.
Other companies can now compete with US energy firm for the waste disposal contract – and that could cast a shadow over the Bedfordshire incinerator scheme.
The mayor said this week said that the scheme could be delayed for more than a year.
He said: "The issue that Covanta now have sets the whole process back over 14 months.
"The wheels are now coming off the Covanta juggernaut and hopefully this means that they won't be coming through the villages of Bedfordshire."
The plans are opposed by many councillors and executive members including the Mayor. If the incinerator is built Bedford Borough Council would vote on whether they would use its services.
News of the hold-up came as a relief to residents groups which oppose the plans, but they warned that their struggle might not be over.
David Cooper, chairman of Our Marston Vale, said: "If the scheme was thrown out I would open a very big bottle of whisky and we would all have a big party.
"Unfortunately I don't think it's going to be as simple or as straightforward as that."
Martin Tett, Bucks County Council cabinet member for planning and environment, said: "I have taken this decision as it will help the council to continue to follow a robust procurement process and ensure the selected bidder provides the best solutions for the people of Buckinghamshire."
But Malcom Chiltern, managing director of Covanta, remained positive.
He said: "The range of constraints affecting this site are far from being insurmountable and Rookery Pit South remains the excellent site is always has been for this type of project – a fact that's been recognised by Bedfordshire authorities when it previously identified Rookery as its own preferred site for a strategic waste management facility."
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Friday 25 May 2012
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