Damian continued to outline his objection to Veolia's plans to convert its current recycling site on the A31 near Alton into an incinerator.
Supported by councillors Mark Kemp-Gee, Andrew Joy and Adam Carew, Damian lodged objections during the public consultation periods, stating that:
“If this kind of facility is required (and, to my mind, that is a very big ‘if’), there must be a better location for it. The beauty of the Wey Valley is precious and the impact of the proposed facility on our countryside, the historic town of Alton and its surrounding villages is, I believe, unacceptable."
Despite the recommendation from planning officers at HCC to approve Veolia's application for planning permission to build and operate an incinerator on its A31 site near Alton, Damian was delighted that Hampshire County Council refused planning permission at their meeting on the 23rd February 2022:
"As I've said before, if this kind of facility is required (and, to my mind, that is a very big ‘if’), there must be a better location for it. The beauty of the Wey Valley is precious and I have always felt that the impact of an incinerator on our countryside, the historic town of Alton and its surrounding villages would be unacceptable. I commend the No Wey Incinerator group for the enormous amount of work undertaken by its members to present detailed and cogent arguments against Veolia’s proposal."
UPDATE: Veolia's opportunity to appeal the refusal of their planning permission application expired in early September 2022, without an appeal being submitted.
See links below to recent press releases.
