On the front of the Shropshire Star on November 14 , “Incinerator firm rules out other site suggestions”, John Everall stated that he “did originally think the sugar beet factory would be suitable, but it is in Telford”.

A Veolia representative also stated that the sugar beet factory was considered during the scoping exercise.

There is no mention in the Shropshire Waste Local Plan 2002-2014 of this site having ever been looked at.

In 2002 the sugar beet factory was still a going concern so it could not have been considered as a site. 

Indeed, at the Veolia Community Liaison Group meeting on October 7 the alternative sites were discussed and no mention was made of this site. 

I asked why the former sugar beet factory in Telford was not considered as a possible site. 

The written answer from Veolia was: “The sugar beet factory is outside the Shropshire County Council authority boundaries, but we will look at it and report back. There is still the opportunity to carry out an evaluation of another site.” 

Adrian Poller, director of Shropshire Waste Partnership, was at that meeting, but did not say anything.

There was still no feedback at the last meeting of the Community Liaison Group on November 4. The Waste Local Plan discounts several proposed waste sites as having an “adverse impact on adjacent residential property” or because it would have a “visual impact.” 

How then can Veolia be allowed to build an incinerator nearly 100ft high with a 200ft chimney stack at Battlefield?

Nick Hall

Shrewsbury