Ainsworth Opposes New Licence for Oxted Sandpit Print
Monday, 22 June 2009 12:53
East Surrey MP, Peter Ainsworth, has expressed his firm opposition to an application by Killoughery Waste Management Ltd to use Oxted Sandpit for the infilling of inert waste.

The licence – which is issued by the Environment Agency – would permit Killoughery to infill the Sandpit at a rate of 210,000 tonnes per year. Crucially however, the licence would only control what happens within the boundary of the site, and would not control the number of lorry movements to and from the site.

Mr Ainsworth commented:

“I am firmly opposed to this application. Whilst the Environment Agency are only responsible for what happens within the Sandpit’s boundary, their decision has far wider implications; it’s not as if the waste magically appears at the Sandpit.

“To local residents, a new licence would just mean even more lorries and a poorer quality of life. People are already understandably angry and concerned about the impact of lorries on roads in Oxted.

“The experience of the Quarry on Chalkpit Lane has shown quite clearly that the local road network simply wasn’t built with HGVs in mind. Opening up the Sandpit would only make this problem even worse.

“I will vigorously resist any proposal which threatens the local environment and makes our over-loaded roads more dangerous than they already are. I am pleased to note that the application is being opposed by Surrey County Council.

“The Environment Agency’s public consultation on the proposed licence closes on 12 th June, and I strongly advise all Oxted residents to make their feelings known before it’s too late.”

Notes:

Members of the public wishing to take part in the public consultation should write to the below address by 12 June:

National Permitting Team
Environment Agency
Trentside Offices
Scarrington Road
West Bridgford
Nottingham
NG2 5FA

Information on the proposed license can be found here: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/library/consultations/106893.aspx