Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, recently attended a meeting with County officials to discuss proposals for a new biomass incinerator in Huntington.
Gavin and County Councillor David Williams met with County Councillor Jill Heath, and a County Council representative, to raise their grave concerns about the scheme.
The pair raised the importance of setting a new precedent in ensuring the most stringent possible pollution controls.
Gavin also sought to highlight to County Highways the adverse impact that an incinerator would have on the local community.
He stated that multiple HGVs cutting across the road on a blind corner, next to a bridge, could prove extremely dangerous to both drivers and local residents.
The renewal of the planning application is expected to come though, this September. The original application, which was made by H. E. Humphries Ltd., allowed for the construction of a renewable energy facility comprising a biomass and anaerobic digestion facility together with associated plant and buildings, hard standing, access routes and landscaping at Cocksparrow Lane, Huntington, Cannock.
On the proposed development, Gavin said: “I think that it is ridiculous that the planning application was granted in the first place. It is not right that the green light should have been given to this development in the green belt, right next to an area of outstanding natural beauty.
“I hope that by my meeting with county officials and continuing to campaign with local residents, and county councillor David Williams, we will be successful in making the planning committee realise that this is a proposal that needs to be rejected.
“If this goes ahead, it will be an extreme monstrosity and I will continue to do all I can to get it stopped.”
County Councillor David Williams added: “As the County and District Councillor for Huntington, I have many concerns regarding the location and use of this type of facility in this rural residential area. This includes the impact that increased traffic and emissions from this proposed plant will have on the safety of the local community and their environment.
“I understand the need for this type of production facility, but this should not be detrimental to the people living in the areas where they are built and, with several similar facilities in the local area already still not working anywhere near their capacity, together with the shortly to open 4 Ashes development, there does not appear to be enough resources to go around all these units and so the need in this area for another facility is, I feel, questionable.
“That is why I am supporting the Parish Council and the great majority of Huntington residents in asking that this planning application be refused and that the quality of life for people living in Huntington is not compromised.”