Not site for waste plant

Paul Keetch has repeatedly called for the council to look at the Moreton-on-Lugg site as a possible location for Estech's proposed recycling facility - even though the applicants have submitted plans to build the plant on the Stoney Street Industrial Estate in Madley.

Andrew Horner, from Great West 2003 Ltd, the company which owns Moreton Business Park, says enough is enough and wants the politician to stop putting Moreton in the same sentence as Estech's waste plant.

He said: "We have never had any contact with anyone from Estech about this waste plant being built here and yet we are continually linked through Mr Keetch's constant references.

"We have a very successful business park here with many big companies and we want to attract more, but they will be put off if they keep reading the comments about the waste plant."

Mr Horner said he was particularly shocked by Mr Keetch's comments as Moreton-on-Lugg falls outside the boundaries of the politician's constituency.

"I don't think it's a very clever thing to do," Mr Horner added. "If he wants to suggest alternative sites, he should think of some within his own ward."

Mr Keetch responded by saying Mr Horner was entitled to his own opinion, but suggested that Moreton's excellent road and rail links made it a much better location for a waste plant that will see 160 heavy goods vehicles visiting its premises on a daily basis.

"And if a purpose-built business park is concerned about Estech then surely this proves it is not right to site the waste plant next to schools and residential homes around Madley," Mr Keetch added.

The Liberal Democrat politician accepted that Moreton-on-Lugg was outside his constituency, but said he was just trying to find the best option for Herefordshire.

Estech Europe Ltd are expected to hear whether they can build a plant capable of processing 100,000 tonnes of waste a year in Madley next Wednesday (October 25).