1st February

CANK Comment
Castle Cement refers here to a 'new health report'. In fact, this is not yet complete and has not been published.
Sources close to CANK have spoken with Dr Morton who has described his report as 'work in progress' with local cancer data still awaited. He also wants to consult with local G.P.s before producing his report.
He expressed surprise that the details had been featured in a North Wales newpaper.

Additionally, Mr Allan (Castle Padeswood General Manager) again relies on a report which has been widely criticised - see 'Misleading the Minister'

In the light of this, Mr Allan's  accusation is totally unjustified, and we await his appropriate acknowledgement.
 

 A cement company keen to invest  £48million in a waste-fired kiln says new evidence proves the process will not be harmful to health.

Castle Cement's application to build a modern plant at it's ageing Padeswood Works is now in the hands of a planning  inspector who has just wound up a public inquiry into the project.

The company says newly-published data shows the health of people in Clitheroe, where Castle has burned Cemfuel for many years, is better than in most other areas in the north-west region. The company intends to use the solvent-based liquid fuel at the proposed Padeswood kiln.

The new health report released by Dr Steven Morton, director of public health for East Lancashire Health Authority, was compiled in response to concerns about the burning of Cemfuel in Clitheroe.

Castle says several reports from independant experts back the company's claim that public health is not threatened by the use of Cemfuel.

Recent results from the Environment Agency monitoring stations around Castle's Lancashire plant have shown air quality is within the 'best'  category.In 1998, a £500,000 air quality survey by the Agency showed air quality was 'good'.

During the lengthy public inquiry into the cement kiln application, opponents underlined fears about public health.

Castle Cement's Padeswood general manager, Tony Allan, said: "This recent evidence from Lancashire proves what we've said all along, the use of alternative fuels is environmentally beneficial and does not adversely affect air quality or public health.

"This also shows that claims made by protestors at the public inquiry were inaccurate, untruthful and misleading."

The investment is needed at Padeswood to protect around 600 jobs - around 200 directly at the plant - and improve the environmental performance of the plant. The outcome of the inquiry is expected later in the year.

See also:
Once again we are in tip-top condition
        Disease problem of the 'very small sub-set'

by Paul Taylor

Strong opposition against plans to burn waste came from an entire community this week, as Wrexham Council prepares to debate the controversial proposal.

Almost all of Sesswick's residents have returned a questionnaire which asks them for their views on the council's proposal to allow Portugese company HLC to build a Reesource Recovery Centre, including a 52,000 ton incinerator, in Wrexham Industrial Estate.

Sesswick Community Council chairman, Wendy Tott said: " We've had an extraordinary response to this questionnaire. It looks at the moment as though we are only missing four replies and we sent out 500.

"So far there's an overwhelming majority against the incineration aspect of the proposal. No one agrees with the council that it is the best option and almost everyone seems annoyed that there has been no consultation about alternative methods of disposal."

the community council will be sending letters containing the results to councillors and coucil officers ahead of a full council debate next Thursday, March 8th.

The Guildhall meeting, which is open to the public from 7pm, follows a recommendation by councillors at the last Scrutiny, Policy & Development committee that: "the council.....urgently reconsider the incineration aspect of it's policy for dealing with waste and seriously investigate alternative strategies to achieve recycling and divergence (from landfill) targets."

HLC's proposal to answer Wrexham Council's landfill dilemma, which sees around 95% of rubbish buried, is to build the Resource Recovery Centre. The £20 million facility will increase recycling levels to about 30%.

But plans to generate electrity by burning a further 40% of the remaining waste have caused public outcry. Fears about the possible health risks of incineration and about wasting valuable resources by burning have been the main focus of objections. But HLC insists the facility would be safe and environmentally sound.

Residents in Abenbury, near the Industrial Estate are so concerned that they've called a community referendum, an idea also adopted by Isycoed Community Council. Both community polls take place today, Thursday, from 4pm to 9pm.

Residents for Abenbury can vote for or against the council adopting the incineration plan at one of two polling stations: Abenbury Community Centre in Pentre Maelor and Pentre Gywn Community Centre on Abenbury Road. resdients in Isycoed can voteat Isycoed's Village Hall.

Chairman of Abenbury Council, Lou Leech, said: "We want and are expecting a great turnout for this. the public meeting at the Memorial Hall was jam-packed so hopefully lots of people will vote.

"It's a chance to show the council that we do care about what they stick in our back yard. We want councillors to think - that's all. Think about what they're voting for and know the public's opinion, especially before the full coucil votes."