COMMUNITIES AGAINST POLLUTION

 

In a typical stealth like approach with only 2 hours notice A.V. Ogden Holdings Ltd. Presented their plans for an Industrial Waste Transfer Site complete with crusher in Milby Lane, Boroughbridge, to Kirby Hill Parish Council on 12th. November 2007.

 

At this point in time the general public of Boroughbridge and surrounding villages had absolutely no knowledge of these plans or its potential impact on the future of their town.

 

Sadly it took four weeks for the information to leak out to concerned residents and the word spread like wildfire , the early campaigners of Residents Against Waste (RAW) canvassed every doorstep in town and surrounding villages to muster support.

 

On the 17th. December the local Parish Councillors convened a Public Meeting at Coronation Hall, Milby Lane, Boroughbridge in an effort to placate the swelling tide of concern, but this left only 7 days to the deadline for written objections to both the selection of Milby Lane as a “Preferred  Site” and the full Planning Application by Meers A V Ogden Holdings Ltd.

 

In an unprecedented effort, volunteers canvassed door to door urging residents to provide written objections to the application, and fortunately by the deadline in excess of 1,200 individual letters had been hand delivered to North Yorkshire County Council in Northallerton.

 

Local Businesses, Parish Councillors and the people were and remain united in their resistance to the planning application and the inclusion of Milby Lane as a Preferred site in the Waste Strategy framework.

 

On the 4th. January 2008 a further meeting of volunteers and concerned residents took place at Coronation Hall and the newly formed Communities Against Pollution (CAP) was born.

 

It was determined that CAP would oppose AV Ogden Holdings Ltd. On every level. They propose to process 100,000 tons of commercial and industrial waste material through the Milby Lane site, transporting waste through our main streets and villages in a convoy of over 70 heavy goods vehicles per day, six days per week. The industrial crushers on site working 5 ½ days per week will be heard across the town and countryside obliterating the peace and tranquillity of our rural lives , creating an environmental nightmare as the noise and dust infect the population and blight the picturesque riverside setting of our historic town.

 

We must join together to persuade the two committees at Northallerton, who hold the fate of our town and its future in their hands, to reject this application, thereby putting people before profit.

 

We thank you all for your generous support so far, but point out that we are in battle with a huge Commercial Organisation with very very deep pockets. Although we have raised in excess of £3,500, this campaign could easily run for up to two years and we will need further financial support to keep CAP alive and ensure that AV Ogden Holdings Ltd. is defeated.

 

Our next major fundraising event, a Race Night at Boroughbridge High School on 12th.

April, is a jointly organised venture with Boroughbridge Chamber of Trade and I ask you all to continue with your marvellous support for our campaign.

 

 

The Future of BOROUGHBRIDGE depends on your support!!

 

 

Thank You

 

 

Keith Whitehouse Chair       C.A.P

  

with thanks to Mike Fisher for creating web site.