Protesters’ ‘no’ to Biogen waste site
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PLANS to build a waste disposal plant which residents claim could release potentially harmful dioxins into the atmosphere around Twinwood were thrown out at a meeting on Monday.
The scheme to build a complex on the Twinwood site, outside Bedford, capable of processing 120,000 tons of waste a year is being put forward by Biogen Power.
The proposals were thrown out at a meeting of Bedford Borough Council’s planning committee on Monday night with a vote of six to three, but Biogen bosses confirmed this week that they will appeal against the decision, which was recommended for approval by council officers.
Over 70 protesters including around 12 young children attended the meeting and Conservative Councillor Jane Walker spoke to behalf of residents.
And representatives from Biogen faced villagers from Milton Ernest, Bletsoe and Thurleigh at a public meeting at Milton Ernest Village Hall last Thursday. Residents claim that the site would blight their lives with increased traffic on already overloaded and they say that the Biogen technology is still not proven.
Bletsoe resident Edward Bean, who was present at the meeting said: “This is an intrusive application in terms of the fact that it would be a very tall chimney. In our view it is an unproven technology.
“There has been a great deal of concern expressed about the impact that dioxins released by the site could have on people and livestock in this area.
“These dioxins have a very long half life and if they are ingested it is a bit like nuclear particles, they take a long time to leave the body.”
This week Christopher Reeve, CEO of Biogen Power, told the T&C that the ruling should be overturned.
He said: “We will be appealing against the decision because officers recommended it for approval. Twinwood is already an industrial site and has planning permission for thousands of movements by vehicles per day. The Environment Agency has already looked at the application and approved it.”
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Weather for Bedford
Monday 28 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
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