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We didn’t get answers on reclycling centre bid
AN action group against plans to build a recycling centre in a Worcestershire village has accused the applicant's spokesman of evading questions at a public meeting.
In September the Worcester News revealed residents of Norton and surrounding parishes were so concerned about Mercia Waste Management's plans for a recycling centre in the village, near Worcester, they formed an action group.
Ian Barber, marketing director of Mercia's sister company, Severn Waste Services, agreed to speak at a meeting at Norton Parish Hall.
However, the action group is unhappy about how it went.
Littleworth resident David Crosby said he thought Mr Barber's presentation was intentionally long to limit the time available for questions from the audience.
"I can't honestly think of one direct question that got a direct answer," he said.
"We were limited to one question per person, so it meant that we couldn't ask any supplementary questions, so it was difficult to thrust home any points of an argument. Mr Barber did not quell our fears and he did nothing to stop us wanting to continue the fight."
However, Worcestershire county and Wychavon district councillor, Rob Adams says last week's meeting went well.
"It has given members of the public a chance to meet the developer. They haven't had that before," he said.
In previous Worcester News articles residents voiced fears that the proposed development, to be located on the Woodbury Lane industrial estate, would cause traffic problems, pollution and noise. Mr Barber said his presentation aimed to address the concerns of the community regarding traffic, amenity/environmental and operational issues.
"There was a lot to talk about, and the presentation took about 45 minutes, as the chairman advised from the outset," he said.
"The meeting was chaired by an independent facilitator, namely Jack Hegarty, managing director of Wychavon District Council, who set out the format for proceedings, including the conduct of the question-and-answer session after the presentation. I think he was quite fair in trying to include as many questions from as many people as possible. My colleagues and I took some questions on a one-to-one basis after the meeting broke up.
"As we have always maintained, the company is available to take any questions at any time from anyone on an individual or collective basis to provide further information or clarification."
The application for the centre is expected to go before Worcestershire County Council's planning committee on Tuesday, December 12.
1:57pm Monday 13th November 2006
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