 Councillors reject Blue-NG planning applicationThanks to all of you who came on the banner protest outside Ealing Town Hall on Wednesday.On Wednesday 2nd September Ealing Borough Council's Planning Committee voted on whether to approve Blue NG's Biofuel Power station and all the councillors unanimously voted against it. The main reasons they were against it were to do with air pollution (Southall's air pollution already violates EU regs) and the power station exacerbating traffic in an already congested area. However they also mentioned food prices, the controversy of using biofuels, climate change, land displacement and human rights abuses and the fear that the oil stored on site could catch fire and explode. Blue NG already have planning permission to build the UK’s first agrofuel power station is Beckton, Newham, East London and this would have been their second. The Greater London Authority still have the power to overturn this decision although they do not usually overturn councillors’ decisions. Blue NG also plan to appeal so the campaign is not over. Despite the fact that Biofuelwatch, Food Not Fuel and Ealing Friends of the Earth have been campaigning against this power station since early 2009 I don't think any of us were very hopeful of winning since planning officer had recommended approval of the power station. I am pretty sure the power station would not have been rejected had it not been for us raising awareness in the area and collecting over 1000 signatures from local residents who were against it during the planning consultation and then getting people to write to and phone and visit their councillors. Maryla We had a terrific win at Southall Wednesday evening! All 10 councillors of the planning committee voted unanimously to reject the biofuel power station application by Blue NG. This is a complete turnaround since Beckton 15 months ago! And that’s a real tribute to all who have worked so hard behind the scenes, as well as independent campaigners such as Salvindar Dhillon. In some ways it’s unique because the planning committee was comprised primarily of councillors from Southall; had there been more representation from Ealing the positive outcome would likely have been diluted. Also we need to bear in mind that the Mayor of London (GLA) will now need to pass verdict. He has the power to veto although one hopes that with such a landslide victory they will see sense and respond to democracy. Dee Media coverage: Indymedia: LANDSLIDE WIN Against Blue NG Biofuel Power Station Ealing Gazette: Planners reject 'green' power station scheme Bath Chronicle: Bath firm's power plant blow Indymedia: Messages left at Blue NG Bath HQ Additional photos: Photos from demo outside council offices |
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Campaign: Stop Southall Biofuel Power Station
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Objecting to Southall Biofuel Power Station
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