24 February 2006 - Brighton & Hove and East Sussex councils have been given the go-ahead to adopt a long-term waste plan which includes proposals for an unpopular and hazardous waste incinerator in Newhaven.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has rejected calls by local Green Party MEP Caroline Lucas – and more than 8,000 Brighton and Hove residents – to hold a public inquiry into the East Sussex Waste Local Plan.

Dr Lucas, who represents South-East England and is a member of the European Parliament’s Environment Committee, said she was deeply disappointed.

“This decision flies in the face of public opinion, responsible government and good environmental stewardship,” she said.

“It hands a private company the right to burn waste from as far field as Gloucestershire in a residential area on the edge of the South Downs – and as Onyx’s profits pile up the price will be paid by local people.”

She added: “Local objections to a plan that gives local councils a disincentive to cut waste and boost recycling have been ignored – in Lewes, Brighton, and now Westminster . By refusing to hold a public inquiry into the proposals the Government has sent a clear signal that it just doesn’t care about the views of those whose lives will be adversely affected by the incinerator.”

ENDS