Star date: 29th June 2012

SALFORD CLEAN AIR AND FLOOD POLICY ATTACKED BY PEEL

"It is outrageous that Peel Energy has ignored the Council's decision and ultimately the wishes of the people in Trafford" Councillor Kevin Procter

Peel Holdings has been at it again, using its legal teams to try to overturn flood policy and incinerator opposition in its unnerving quest for profit.

Last week, Peel took the Environment Agency to the High Court to re-classify its land on the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal. And the other night Trafford Council passed a motion against Peel Energy, `deploring' its actions to try and overturn the Council's decision to refuse planning permission for an incinerator which would have profound effects on Salford. 

See Part 1 of the Peel Deal here…

The PEEL DEAL: PART 1

On Wednesday night, Trafford Council passed a motion which says it all about how Peel Holdings views democracy within its empire…

The motion read…

"Council deplores the recent action of Peel Energy in appealing the decision of Trafford Council's Planning Committee to refuse planning permission for a bio-mass incinerator in Davyhulme. This was a unanimous decision of the planning committee on the grounds of the perceived threat to the health of Trafford residents. The council demands that Peel Energy reconsiders its decision to appeal the refusal and withdraws their appeal forthwith."

Yeah, like, and there goes a pig flying over Peel's MediaCityUK…

Over in Trafford there's been huge demonstrations by the community against the incinerator, known as the Barton Renewable Energy Plant, and a campaign supported by Trafford Council which has refused Peel planning permission for the air polluting plant (see here). But Peel just won't accept the democratic wishes of a whole borough, and has appealed to the Government to overturn the Council's decision, with a Public Inquiry being held in November.

The Trafford Council Conservative Party motion, which was supported by all political parties, also had an amendment by the Labour Group, which was passed unanimously…

"Further, this Council resolves to investigate using its powers under the Sustainable Communities Act to petition the Government to change the planning system so that developers cannot appeal to central government to overturn a local planning decision".

Proposing the amendment, Urmston Labour Councillor Kevin Procter said "It is outrageous that Peel Energy has ignored the Council's decision and ultimately the wishes of the people in Trafford".

Trafford Council Leader, Matthew Colledge said "We are doing this because there is grave concern across the communities of Urmston, Stretford and beyond about health implications".

`Beyond' includes Salford, and Pete Kilvert, Chairman of the Breathe Clean Air Group, which has campaigned tirelessly against Peel's incinerator, insists that the city won't be safe…

"The future of Salford is at stake if the Davyhulme Incinerator gets built" he says "Fears that emissions from the incinerator will cause health problems in Barton, Eccles, Weaste and Ordsall, could cause a mass exodus from the area, which could also devalue house prices. Media City is just two miles downwind of the controversial incinerator, and emissions could scupper plans for its further development".

And, for once, even Salford City Council agrees…

"As a neighbouring planning authority we were consulted by Trafford on Peel's planning application, and the Planning Panel resolved to object based on significant concerns about the potential impact of the proposed plant on the people of Salford, due to its location and prevailing wind directions, and because of the facility's location in an air quality management area where standards are already exceeded" says Derek Antrobus, Salford Council's Assistant Mayor for Strategic Planning "Our objection will be considered by the Inspector at the forthcoming Planning Inquiry to be heard in Trafford in the autumn. We will be supporting Trafford Council and making representations to the Inquiry."

It seems that Peel Holdings has a well set out plan to exploit every inch of land it owns along the Manchester Ship Canal and beyond, whatever the consequences. Over in Liverpool, the whole world seems to be against Peel's plans to wreck the historic waterfront with its £5.5billion Liverpool Waters scheme.

UNESCO - the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation - has warned that Liverpool could lose its World Heritage status if Peel's plans for offices, hotels, retail developments and apartments goes ahead. It's stated that Liverpool's classic waterfront could be "irreversibly damaged" and has recommended that Liverpool be placed on the world heritage `at risk' list.

And this is the cuddly company that Salford Council is in bed with at MediaCityUK, at the Salford City Stadium (home of Salford City Reds) and at the forthcoming Port Salford project…

See the Peel Deal Part 2 – sluice gates and flood zones on the Manchester Ship Canal...click here

* Before the Public Inquiry in November, and despite all the objections, the Environment Agency has given a provisional first stage Environmental Permit to the Barton Renewable Energy Plant but has a consultation ongoing until 11th July. To find out how to make objections and for full details on the Breathe Clean Air Group's campaign see www.breathecleanairgroup.co.uk