Ward Question – Enter date

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Under Standing Order 14, Councillor Lawrence Nichols asked the following question:

“Is Spelthorne Borough Council satisfied with the level of consultation that Surrey County Council has undertaken in respect of the development of a co-incinerator and anaerobic digester at Charlton Lane? What direct involvement has Spelthorne Borough Council had with SITA in respect of this proposed development?”

Councillor John Packman responded as follows:

“To date, Surrey County Council and SITA have undertaken some initial consultation (letters, exhibitions) on the proposed gasification plant and anaerobic digester at Charlton Lane. The first exhibition in April 2010 was attended by a Spelthorne Borough Council officer and the Community Liaison Group meeting was attended by a member and officer to hear what residents have to say. Similarly the technical group meeting on 15 July 2010 for local residents was also attended by a Spelthorne Borough Council officer. The Service Head attends Surrey Waste Partnership meetings, where all partners provide updates on projects relevant to all authorities, and County has provided updates on progress at these meetings over the last three months. In between, four meetings have been held with Surrey County Council and SITA for short updates on the progress being made.

We understand that, as information from studies associated with the application emerges, Surrey County Council and SITA will be providing information to residents via letters, meetings with residents, specialist technical meetings. There will also be discussions on information as it arises via the Community Liaison Group, which has independent residents and representatives of Resident Associations attending. An exhibition of the plans and results of studies will be held in September 2010.

At the recent Local Committee meeting (12 July 2010) Surrey County Council emphasised that they were very keen to ensure the local community were kept informed about the scheme, as the detail and environmental impact assessments for the proposed scheme are finalised, before submission of the planning application to Surrey County Council.

Spelthorne Borough Council has always emphasised the need for consultation with local residents and have encouraged SITA to hold meetings, such as one arranged with Charlton and Halliford residents, held at the Sunbury Golf Club on 18 May 2010.

As with any scheme of this size in the Borough, even as consultee as in this case, Spelthorne Borough Council would expect to meet with developers prior to submission of the application, to discuss details and to ensure all aspects required in commenting on an application such as this were covered.

The Council has encouraged Surrey County Council and SITA to undertake public consultation and at the Local Committee meeting on 12 July 2010, the Leader spoke strongly on the need for Surrey County Council to undertake public consultation and keep the residents informed. He received assurances that this would occur.

Councillor L.E, Nichols asked for confirmation as to whether the consultation being undertaken by the County was to the satisfaction of the Borough Council. The Leader confirmed that the council had and would continue to encourage the county and SITA to undertake public consultation and to keep the residents informed.