Covanta EfW Incinerator

Update 2016

– despite differences in Covanta’s recent press regarding the tonnes per year and power generated – MMAG understands the proposal that was granted planning in 2013 is the one that is being taken forward. There are no changes being made by Covanta who do not want to trigger a new planning application.

– Covanta will construct and operate the Incinerator and Veolia will provide the waste

– Covanta has not yet submitted an application for the Environmental Permit

Main Points

The Main building would be roughly the height of the Cardington hangers!

The chimney stack(s) would be a minimum of 105 meters hight – considerably higher than the remaining Stewartby brickworks chimneys

The building would be right against the railway line at the edge of the Country Park – it will be visible from every part of this wonderful amenity used by so many families and their children

Planning permission granted in 2013 allows vehicle movements of 700+ a day (nearly 300 lorries) – these will be arriving and departing during opening hours of 7am – 11 pm 6 days a week

Covanta’s only confirmed customer as of 2013 was Windsor and Maidenhead. However this council has since signed a 15 year contract with a competitior – Viridor

Diagram shows how big the proposed Covanta Incinerator will be in comparison with other buildings (as of 2013).
Click on image to enlarge.
Side View – approx measurements

Size chart of Covanta Incinerator proposal

View from Forest Centre Cafe- Interlocking Boxes Format
Click on image to enlarge
Based on Covanta’s current Website

How this will impact on you, your family and our local villages

1. A lack of clarity about what will come out of an incinerator’s chimney/s and long term health implications – the experts always tell you it’s safe at the beginning! Covanta has been running a number of Energy from Waste plants in the US for some years but Private Eye’s issue 1248 states that they have “been repeatedly fined over toxic emissions” and have been “issued citations ….for breaking fire safety rules”.

2. The permanent loss of night sky with severe light pollution from a site operating 24/7.

3. The permanent loss of a uniquely quiet area with the site operating 24/7.

4. Incinerators generate a TOXIC waste called Fly Ash. Together with bottom ash this accounts for approximately 25% of the original mass incinerated. There has been no indication where this toxic waste will end up.Will this then be moved off site to licensed landfill sites for such waste? By road through local villages? Or is there then a second development of part of Rookery Pit South to become a licensed site for landfill of hazardous waste? Which then takes in hazardous waste from other locations, by road, through our villages?

5. The negative impact on the Millennium Country Park, Marston Vale Trust.

6. The new A421 was designed to cope with existing traffic problems and some elements of growth in Bedford Borough. The volume of lorry and associated traffic for a large scale industrial area will be beyond the capacity of the road.

7. The visual impact of the Incinerator would be great. It would be the dominating feature from all parts of the Marston Vale, Millbrook, Ampthill Park and the Greensand Ridge.

Click Here to View Latest Updates

What You Can Do

Clearly everyone who fought the Covanta proposal will be deeply disappointed to learn that Covanta have partnered with Veolia to resurrect the massive Incinerator at Rookery Pit, Stewartby – which received planning permission in 2013 following a lengthy battle by local Groups and Residents.

This is not the end of the road. The Environment Agency are yet to give its approval and to date we have no indication of where the waste will be coming from.

Posters and information sheets are available on the Downloads Page – also the on-line petition is still open if you have not already signed – Click Here to view details

At this stage it is important that as many residents as possible are made aware of the situation. Please use the information sheets to inform others and print and display the posters to show your support.

If you would like to be kept up to date with the campaign – you can sign up for regular email updates by Clicking Here and completing the form

Additional Information – MMAG Pages

Covanta Proposal – News Updates

MMAG’s IPC Registration Submission

MMAG’s Local Impact Report Submission

Professor Connett Presentation and notes

MMAG & Incineration – where do we stand !

Arguments Against Covanta Proposal and Incineration

Community Liasion Panel Minutes and Handouts

Covanta Balloon flying exercise 12-14th March – Photos

Covanta Balloon flying exercise 12-14th March – Videos

Wildlife Issues