CAMPAIGNERS fighting the waste-to-energy incinerator plant plans for Keighley are gearing up for the next stage of their fight after winning leave for a judicial review.
Aire Valley Against Incineration (AVAI) reported its application has been accepted for a judicial review of Bradford Council’s decision to approve proposals by Endless Energy Ltd for the site off the Aire Valley Bypass.
Opponents of the controversial application argue it will inflict harmful pollution on the Aire Valley and its surroundings, and will blight the landscape.
But applicant Endless Energy Ltd has said the facility will provide an environmentally-friendly form of energy, while conforming to strict European emissions standards.
The judicial review, on a date yet to be announced, has been backed by Keighley MP John Grogan, who will answer residents’ questions at a public meeting on Monday October 2, from 7.30pm to 9pm at Central Hall, Alice Street, Keighley.
He said: “This is definitely a big boost after a massive fundraising effort. This could be a turning point.
“I think AVAI have a very strong case. I am hoping that the development will be halted in the courts. If not, plan B will be the Environment Agency.
“There are still no signs that the company [Endless Energy] has applied for any environmental permits. That process will take up to a year, so this story will run and run.”
An Endless Energy spokesman responded: “Whilst this decision is not what we had hoped for it makes no difference to our steadfast commitment to providing a high-quality and tightly regulated energy facility. This is a former industrial site and has a previous consent for a similar use that was not challenged.
“We have complied with rigorous planning and environmental requirements at every step during the planning of this facility, ultimately resulting in a local resolution to approve our plans.
“We’ll now take on board this latest decision and will do everything we can to demonstrate our robust approach to date.
“Generating energy from waste that would otherwise end up in landfill has a lengthy and successful history as part of the UK’s energy mix.
“There are dozens of proven facilities across the UK and Europe operating safely and under some of the strictest environmental regulations.
“In Keighley, we’re working with some of the most experienced organisations in the business, whose multiple facilities have been granted environmental permits to operate by the Environment Agency.
“We’re committed to delivering and operating the facility in a safe and responsible way.
“We’ll be creating around 300 jobs during construction and 79 permanent jobs once the facility is operational, ultimately providing a new sustainable energy source for the region.”
AVAI spokesman Simon Shimbles said although the date for the judicial review has not yet been revealed, he understands it will be a two-day court hearing that will take place in Leeds.
He said: “Obviously we’re delighted, and we’re extremely pleased this has been classed as a ‘significant case’, which means it has been given the serious attention it deserves.
“We’re now waiting with bated breath for the court date.
“We know our case has been judged to merit this judicial review by meeting at least one of the three following criteria: it clarifies a point of law, generates significant public interest or it is seen as complex enough to require a senior judge to examine it.
“It’s the next step in our fight against the incinerator, and we’ll now see where this takes us.
“The court hearing will look at whether the planning application was dealt with in a proper manner. We believe the process was flawed in a number of ways.
“If the court finds in our favour that means the planning application will be pretty much dead in the water and it will be back to square one for the developers.
“We hope that if they do have another stab at applying, many more people will be aware of what is happening, and there’ll be proper consultation with the public. Unlike last time when the plans seem to have sneaked through under the radar.”
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