Sussex Express - 07 February 2011
WEALDEN residents fear the spectre of exposed rubbish tips is once again stalking the countryside.
Members of Residents of East Sussex Against Landraise (REAL) say sites earmarked in early documents are still being surveyed for their suitability by East Sussex County Council.
The sites identified for Landraise – 25 metre high, 25 hectare exposed dumps – are at Newick, Piltdown, Selmeston, Hellingly, Halland Park Farm and Deanland near Golden Cross.
REAL spokeswoman Jean Mary Crozier said: “They do not appear to have listened to our protests, have ignored responses to the consultation process and hidden behind changes in Government and future policy for waste management and disposal.
“And they say the only alternative to Landraise they are considering is exporting it out of the country.”
She asks why they are not putting pressure on commercial companies to reduce, recycle and recover energy from the waste they create.
Fellow campaigners point out County admit they have no control over where waste from commercial and demolition waste goes to yet are happy to provide greenfield sites for it to be dumped on.
Norman Baker MP told the Express: “East Sussex County Council should not be pursuing a policy of Landraise. It was established last year that this is not wanted locally and they need to realise that.
“I have made my position very clear in the past – this is a 16th century solution to a 21st century problem and mountains of rubbish in the countryside would be unacceptable. That wholeheartedly remains my view.”
A County Council spokesman said “We have listened to the views of local residents and we are now carrying out a review of the need for land disposal, focusing much of our work on finding alternatives to it.
“As part of that work, we are reviewing our appraisal of the Areas of Search using information that was submitted during the consultation on our draft strategy. This is essential to make sure our plans will stand up to the scrutiny of the Government’s Planning Inspectorate.
“However, we must stress that we fully share the Government’s aspiration to ‘move away from disposal of waste by landfill.”
Survey sparks rubbish tip fears for Wealden residents
Comment
It is a matter of trust and clearly the residents of East Sussex have very little faith in their public servants to perform the wishes of the people rather than adhering to their own agenda
Letter from Councillor Matthew Lock to THE REAL CAMPAIGN (09 February 2011)