Brierley Hill campaigners furious at waste firm's snub
Campaigners have been left fuming after bosses behind controversial plans for a waste recycling plant refused an invitation to meet them face-to-face to discuss their concerns.
Energy firm Clean Power Ltd wants permission for the development on disused land near a railway line, off Moor Street, Brierley Hill, close to the former Royal Brierley Crystal glassworks.
But residents fear the plant would blight the town, leading to increased traffic along already busy roads. Officials from the firm were invited to attend a public meeting so residents could put forward their concerns.
But councillors claimed the firm had declined to attend – although the public meeting will still go ahead on May 15, with the venue still to be determined. The development would employ around 30 staff and would turn waste into gas to generate electricity. Concerns stem from the amount of traffic that would regularly enter the new site, with potentially three lorries an hour accessing the plant.
Councillor Judy Foster, ward member for Brockmoor and Pensnett, said the firm's refusal to attend a public meeting was a disappointment, and a second invitation had now been sent to them. "It seems the firm is reluctant to attend an event where there would be a mass scrutiny of the proposals," she said.
"We had believed some progress was being made but now it seems the company is not so receptive."
Clean Power Ltd spokesman Gavin Miller said the firm was aware of the second invitation and would consider the matter further. He said the company had already staged public consultations and had heeded people's concerns, including looking at ways to reduce traffic.
