by Kevin Hughes

A PROTEST group from Derbyshire has written to people in Mold to tell of it's battle against pollution problems.

In the open letter concerning the proposed kiln at Padeswood, Residents Against SARP Pollution from Killamarsh in Derbyshire said they have had to live 'day after day' for 25 years with emissions from an incinerator fired by fuels such as tyres, plastics, and waste solvents.

The Castle Cement kiln, which is not classed as an incinerator but is due to be powered by similar materials, has been given the go-ahead by Flintshire County Council.

However, a public inquiry will be called to decide if the final go-ahead will be granted.

Residents Against SARP Pollution spokeman John Moran said the group forced the closure of the incinerator at Killamarsh on November 8th 1999.

He added there were foul smells caused by the burning of alternative fuels which meant people had to stay indoors and close their windows at night.

Health issues including a marked increase in asthma among pupils from schools near the plant were also mentioned, with Mr Moran saying there were claims of clusters of cancers developing in residents around the site.

The final straw for the Derbyshire operation was two nitric acid leaks which caused the village of 8,000 residents to be sealed off by police and environmental agencies.

The Killamarsh plant was operated by Leigh Environmental, now called Leigh Onyx, a subsidiary of the French owned Vivendi group. Mr Moran pointed out it is not only the immediate area that is affected.

'We released 600 helium-filled balloons at the site. Some of those turned up in Whitby, which is 60 miles away, others in Harrogate 40 miles away.

'It depends on the wind, but with a chimney the size of the proposed one at Mold the distance emissions reach could increase dramatically,' he said.

'Regarding jobs lost, this is an old pit village and we know all about the closure of the pits. We decided that every jobs has a price and the price of the health of our children and the community was greater.'

Castle Cement general manager Tony Allen said the comany is not building an incinerator, but is investing £48m in modernising it's Padeswood works to safeguard the long term future of the plant and the jobs it provides.

'As part of the project, we wish to build a new kiln and tower which will reduce emissions,' he added.

'In the 50 years we've been here, there has never been any evidence to suggest ill-health is associated with cement manufacture.'

See also
Full, unabridged letter from Killamarsh

 Hansard and Derbyshire CC minutes