The claim that Bedfordshire could become a ‘dumping ground’ for other parts of the country is set to become a reality.
On Friday it was announced that around 30,000 tonnes of waste from Berkshire would be shipped up to Covanta’s proposed incinerator at Rookery Pit South near Stewartby.
The 25-year contract with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM) will see Covanta turn the non-recyclable waste into fuel at the controversial facility which was given the go-ahead last year.
Last week, Bedfordshire on Sunday exclusively revealed that 39 parliamentary petitions submitted in objection to a crucial green light the US waste firm needs had been challenged.
And this latest announcement could mean that waste from other areas is treated at the 600,000 tonnes facility.
Covanta Energy’s UK managing director, Malcolm Chilton, said: “This is another step forward to achieving our long-term goals; providing local authorities and private sector waste producers with modern, sustainable and long-term waste treatment solutions.” Cllr Phil Bicknell from RBWM described the deal as ‘an all-round winner’.
The contract will begin in December this year although Covanta said there would be an interim plan until Rookery Pit is built.
Mayor of Bedford Borough Dave Hodgson said: “The fact that Covanta are seeking to bring waste here from as far away as Windsor to feed this monstrous incinerator just highlights how fundamentally wrong their plans are.
“They will need to find another 550,000 tonnes of rubbish a year to be brought in over local roads and burnt on our doorstep. It is an appalling prospect, and one that must not become a reality.” Cllr Ken Matthews from Central Beds Council said: “Our objections for the proposed development at Rookery Pit South are based on the size of the facility. The Windsor and Maidenhead waste will take up just five per cent of the capacity at Rookery Pit South. If this proposed waste facility is to be economically viable we can expect many more announcements like this, should the development go ahead.”
