KCC are consulting on their waste and minerals strategy. While I intend to submit my thoughts in a few weeks, I was drawn to this comment in the Core Strategy:
"Option 1C -The ragstone quarry at Hermitage Farm, Maidstone, which currently is the subject of a planning application for a major extension. The operator of this site considers it to be the only realistic means of delivering the required 0.78million tonnes per annum (mtpa) ragstone landbank. However, the stock of planning permissions that makes up the ragstone landbank is currently well in excess of the County's needs for the plan period."
While the final sentance is clearly not written in plain English, it seems to be saying that the Oaken Wood site would produce far more aggregate than the county needs.
Green Party campaigner in Kent. Also a nurse, academic, former manager, writer, Druid, husband and father...
Showing posts with label waste. Show all posts
Showing posts with label waste. Show all posts
Saturday, 4 June 2011
Sunday, 10 April 2011
Spelman increases waste by scrapping fines
Almost got to debate this with Caroline Spelman on Radio 5 Live this morning, but a technical hitch scuppered it.
She has announced that the ability of councils to fine residents for poor waste disposal (putting waste in the wrong bins etc.) is to be scrapped and I'm sure this will be popular among many, but there are three good reasons why the ability to fine is needed.
Firstly, to change behaviour, both carrots and sticks are needed. The carrots are in place (additional bins and roadside collections) and these make it easier to get waste down. There is more to do, specifically tackling packaging and ensuring a full range recyclables are collected, but having a stick in the form of a fine even if rarely used, is needed to move us towards zero waste.
Secondly, poor waste handling will increase costs for local councils. Increasing the costs for councils will mean less money for other services and therefore even more cuts.
Thirdly, what happened to local democracy and devolved powers? Rhetoric about devolved powers seem to be yet more hot air. If the Tories and Lib Dems were really serious about this, they would not be removing the powers through a top down decision.
She has announced that the ability of councils to fine residents for poor waste disposal (putting waste in the wrong bins etc.) is to be scrapped and I'm sure this will be popular among many, but there are three good reasons why the ability to fine is needed.
Firstly, to change behaviour, both carrots and sticks are needed. The carrots are in place (additional bins and roadside collections) and these make it easier to get waste down. There is more to do, specifically tackling packaging and ensuring a full range recyclables are collected, but having a stick in the form of a fine even if rarely used, is needed to move us towards zero waste.
Secondly, poor waste handling will increase costs for local councils. Increasing the costs for councils will mean less money for other services and therefore even more cuts.
Thirdly, what happened to local democracy and devolved powers? Rhetoric about devolved powers seem to be yet more hot air. If the Tories and Lib Dems were really serious about this, they would not be removing the powers through a top down decision.
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