Further to recent points raised regarding the WSOH I wish to outline the facts and my engagement with this local issue.
Bury is a vibrant town with a growing population; not only from the centre but the peripheral villages and surrounding area too. We therefore need improvements in the collection and disposal of our waste. A waste hub is required and its location, wherever it is, is likely to be contentious. The town council has communicated to me the demand for a waste hub, and their support for Hollow Road.
Arguably the initial consultation period did not appear to give sufficient time for consideration and, having indicated this to the Council, I was glad a more accessible consultation period was delivered. Furthermore, a full set of justifications for the site currently under consideration were communicated in the local paper.
Other available sites have been explored but are either less viable, or their availability has lapsed. There is also a cost to be borne by all rate payers of St Edmundsbury and Forest Heath Councils for the delay. As two and a half years have already elapsed, I am keen a decision should be arrived at swiftly.
For this duration, I have met with individuals, businesses and the Chairs of parish councils who have ably and forcefully articulated the concerns of local residents. They have also had an opportunity to feed in these concerns and offer improvements to the design. On the 28th August the decision was deferred for four weeks to take further residents’ concerns into account and to look for solutions to the specific issues raised.
The future planning of our town necessitates the use of land to deliver key services for the needs of residents. As our town grows, it is paramount we guarantee access to primary services and the fact that this is outside of the local plan, is a material factor.
Traffic has and remains an issue of great concern. After my last meeting with the parish Chairs, I contacted the elected representatives of the villages which had expressed the greatest concerns against the proposals, the Leader of Suffolk County Council and the Police and Crime Commissioner. This was to ensure all concerns relating to highways, points of access to the site and footpath were fully explored, mapped and responded to, or plans amended. More specifically, I have forwarded those concerns of Suffolk West Action Group to the Chief Executive of St Edmundsbury Council and agreed to meet with them, once I have received a response.
As residents may be aware, it is outside the remit of a Member of Parliament to preside over or influence matters of local planning. It my role to communicate the concerns of residents to the relevant authorities and to ensure due process is followed. To that end I have alerted the Secretary of State to his ability to call in this proposal, should he be minded to do so. This is far from prioritising party loyalty, as was mistakenly suggested in recent letters.
With the decision currently deferred, I will of course remain vigilant to the concerns of residents and ensure that the decision-making process under which these plans sit, is fair and proportionate.
Published today in the Bury Free Press comments