Further to our last posting, we attended the document inspection at Lympne Village hall for the pre-validation of the proposed wood burning power station application. As expected, there were bundles of documents and drawings openly displayed in the hope of persuading us that this project is good for local people, good for the environment, good for the nation and built/ operated by a professional company.
We believe that this company is disingenuous in it's approach to our residents and local neighbouring communities and that the only motivation for this company is profit.
They state that their exhibition held in January was well advertised and showed a copy of a tiny advert placed in the 'Herald' local paper with the 'on sale' date of 29th January. The exhibition was held two days later, 31st January. This was the ONLY form of advertising shown as evidence in the documentation bundle. Moreover, in other documentation. they stated that although it was snowing, a good turnout was realised. Well I know that it didn't snow on the 31st January and I also know that it wasn't a good turnout.
This, as previously stated, is an exercise in moving in under the radar to secure approval of a profit making venture to the detriment of our communities. Hopefully our newly elected representatives will be making the right noises at Shepway District Council to initially re-run the January exhibition, only after local Parish Councils have had good time to publicise the event in the monthly Parish magazines together with posters at all Parish notice boards and a minimum half page advert in ALL local newspapers. Only then will we see a real turnout of Residents.
If you are in any doubt as to the size of the Power station, take a trip to Dungeness Power station and check out the height, The proposed Otterpool Power station is actually higher.
There are many more issues that have been briefly covered in previous postings and you can be sure that there is a long way to run in this application if, and when it becomes validated. In the interim we would encourage you all to write to Jenny Hollingsbee, Damian Collins MP. David Monk, SDC Leader, asking that the Iceni Energy 2 exhibition be re-run with a reasonable 'lead-in' advertising time. Please email us if you require further details.
In the meantime the Application documentation may be viewed in the Committee room of Sellindge Village Hall during 'Pop-in' hours: Monday and Wednesday 8.30am-12pm. Tuesday 8.30am - 3.00pm. up until 17th June, although this period may be extended.
The documents may also be viewed at the Parish Council office on Friday afternoons between 3 and 5pm. Contact details (Parish Council) should you wish to discuss the validation further: 07788 414313. nnwfursdon@aol.com
S&DRA's position is clear. We believe this venture is completely unsustainable and detrimental to our environment and communities. We oppose this application at every level.
Les Barratt. Co-Chairman. S&DRA.
