Fumes from a planned incinerator north of Horsham would be the ‘equivalent of a sugar cube dissolved in Loch Ness, one county councillor was told.
Britaniacrest has drawn up proposals for anew recycling, recovery and renewable energy plant at the former Wealden Brickworks site, off Langhurstwood Road, north of the town.
A group setup by residents, dubbed No Incinerator 4 Horsham, is now mounting a public campaign in a bid to stop the development in its tracks.
Norman Clarke, who lives in Station Road, Warnham, raised the issue at West Sussex County Council’s North Horsham County Local Committee meeting on Monday (November 28).
He said: “We are really concerned about the proposals, a chimney 95 metres high and allowing a building 50 metres high by 120 metres long in the Sussex countryside.
“I would really like to know your views and to know whether you would be with or against us.”
Peter Catchpole (Con, Holbrook) who represents the area on the county council replied: “I’m totally opposed to it.
“The problem is that Britaniacrest have sort of sneaked this in slightly holding the public meeting on a Friday evening.” He has also raised concerns about the size of the proposed building and effluence.
He added: “I was told the anecdote effectively it would be the equivalent of a cube of sugar dissolved in Loch Ness”
He asked: “What are the pollutants-and what are the safety measures to help?”
Liz Kitchen (Con,Warnham and Rusper) explained that she could not give a view now as it would bar her from voting on any future planning application at WSCC’s planning committee.
Last week a spokesman for Britaniacrest said: “These processes will provide a sustainable alternative to landfill disposal, avoid the use of fossil fuels and save primary materials.”
The company already has permission for a waste recycling facility off Langhurstwood Road and has been handling materials from businesses for processing since 2015.
An application for the proposed plant has yet to be submitted
By Joshua Powling
joshua.powling@jpress.co.uk
01403 751230