Naturalists back incinerator concessions (From Sutton Guardian)

Controversial Beddington incinerator gets unlikely backing

11:00am Thursday 14th March 2013 in News By James Pepper

Bird watcher Peter Alfrey: "Potentially a really good deal on the table".

Plans to build a controversial new incinerator on the edge of the borough have found unlikely support from naturalists

Since the proposals were announced last year, campaigners have criticised developers Viridor, saying the Energy Recovery Facility planned in Beddington, which would incinerate waste to produce heat and electricity, will increase pollution.

The scheme, which is being designed for the South London Waste Partnership made up of Sutton, Croydon, Kingston and Merton councils, involves the closure of the Beddington Lane landfill site.

Three acres of the 93 acre site will be used for the incinerator while the rest will be made into a nature reserve.

Last month it was announced the design had been changed to cut pollution from the plant, that public access to the nature reserve will be improved, there will be special habitats for sparrows and a warden and committee will be put in place to manage the park.

Campaigners Stop the Incinerator say the concessions amount to "mere confectionery".

But staunch nature lovers have backed the plans, claiming the concessions will be of huge benefit to the area.

Keen bird watcher and member of the Hackbridge and Beddington Corner Development Committee Peter Alfrey, said: "I think there's potentially a really good deal on the table for the local community and wildlife but it just needs a bit more detail fleshed out."

"The new conservation and access committee will really help to open up the area to the public and manage the habitat on site. A committed and experienced warden, as well as funding will also go a long to maintaining the area - but we do need a good sum of money."

Mr Alfrey, said: "We need to ensure the committee consists of members of the London Wildlife Trust, the RSPB and senior members of the Wandle Valley Regional Park Trust as well as local neighbourhood development groups so people in the area get their say."

The current plans including amendments will go before development control committee in April.

To submit you views to the connsultation, email developmentcontrol@sutton.gov.uk by Friday, March 22.