A petition signed by nearly 3,000 local people opposing the proposed developments at Parkwood landfill site was presented to a meeting of Sheffield City Council on 6th July. The petitioners object to planning applications for a leachate treatment plant, an electricity generator which would burn gases produced by the decay of waste, and to the proposal to expand the dumping of active waste.
The petition was delivered by Paul Antcliffe of Parkwood Concerned Tenants, Residents and Businesses Group, who explained to the Messenger that although the leachate treatment and electricity generating proposals might appear desirable, in practice their viability depends on the expansion of the active waste area of the site.
Paul told the full Council meeting that recycling of waste should be maximised so that landfill sites like Parkwood, in the heart of the city, could be closed.
He reported on the numerous problems caused by the site, including odours, dust, fibres, litter and noise. Some people have inhaled what they believe is a gas, which instantly made them feel sick. He called for the installation of a Hapsite gas monitoring and identification system, used for analysing emissions from other landfill sites.
He asked Councillor Harry Harpham, Labour’s cabinet member for waste management, to attend a public meeting along with Environment Agency and landfill site operator Viridor staff, at which questions from local residents could be answered. In response, Councillor Harpham said he was willing to discuss the issues the Group, but not in a meeting open to the public.
Liberal Democrat Councillor Shaffaq Mohammed said he was disappointed that Cllr Harpham was unwilling to attend a public meeting. “We would like to see a plan which ensures that there is no expansion of the site and that the landfill site has an agreed closure plan.”
The planning applications for the leachate treatment plant and the electricity generator are likely to be put before a planning board at the end of July.
Contact: Paul Antcliffe of Parkwood Concerned Tenants, Residents and Businesses Group on 276 2353. Their website:
http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/pctrbg/.
Shaffaq Mohammed is Shadow Cabinet member for Streetscene and Green Spaces; contact Liberal Democrat office on 273 4361.
by Andrew Green