Hames Demands Emissions Reduction Plan

12.00.00pm GMT Tue 28th Oct 2003

Cllr Duncan Hames says that La Farge can't ignore new European limits on chemical emissions.

Cllr Duncan Hames has won the support of the District Council in requesting from La Farge a clear plan for reducing emissions from the Westbury Cement Works to meet future European limits.

"These will be tough limits for the Westbury wet-process plant to meet. It is essential that any proposed changes to the operation of the plant are part of a plan to meet these new emission limits by 2006" said Cllr Hames.

Speaking at the seminar which decided the council's response to La Farge's solvent burning application, Lib Dem Spokesman, Cllr Duncan Hames, urged the council to request the government to 'Call in' the decision on the La Farge application and hold public hearings to consider evidence on the issue.

"The Environment Agency's monitoring of emissions and air quality is clearly central to this decision - but the range of issues and public bodies involved is much broader. Public concern extends to the safety of delivery trucks carrying these hazardous chemicals on the A350, and the risk of vandalism or even sabotage where it is stored." observed Cllr Hames.

"You don't have to doubt the Environment Agency's competence or integrity to recognise that the Agency is not up to the job of co-ordinating all the public bodies that should be involved in this decision." he explained.

"On the crucial question of health impact, the Agency itself conceded that it is largely reliant on it's statutory consultees - the Primary Care Trusts - and we all understand how, locally, they just aren't resourced for this task." added Cllr Hames.

"The decision has national significance, should be based on hearing evidence from the applicant and all interested parties in public, and should be made by the government itself in a way that is accountable." he concluded.

Residents can add their voice to demands for government to 'Call-in' the decision and conduct public hearings by telling the Environment Agency as part of the consultation and by writing to Elliot Morley MP, Minister of State for the Environment, 9 Millbank (c/o 17 Smith Square), London, SW1P 3JR, or emailing his Private Secretary at emma.webbon@defra.gsi.gov.uk .