Success! Plans to enlarge a waste centre near Rufforth are dropped
April 21, 2015
Local residents in Rufforth are delighted that Yorwaste has made a U-turn and dropped their plans to extend their waste and recycling facility at Harewood Whin, on the outskirts of York.
Julian has consistently supported the Rufforth and Knapton Action Group in their opposition to the highly controversial plans, which would have seen a large industrial complex being constructed on York’s surrounding greenbelt.
The City of York Council Planning Committee had recommended to approve the application for a greatly increased facility, despite local residents raising their concerns. Following an appeal from Julian, the Communities Secretary, Eric Pickles, suspended the planning process whilst his office scrutinised the plans in more detail, including the role of the Council, which is a part-owner of the waste facility.
Julian then urged Mr Pickles to reject the proposals by pointing out that the development would have resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of HGVs passing through the village of Rufforth. Julian also pointed out that a large fire had broken out at the facility after Christmas, which raised serious questions about the existing management of the site. The fire lasted for several weeks and caused a range of health problems for nearby residents.
Welcoming the news that Yorwaste had dropped their plans before the public inquiry had even begun, Julian said “I am delighted that the developers have now seen sense. The plans were entirely unsuitable for the green belt location and I know that villagers in Rufforth will be delighted with the news.
“However, I am conscious that we are in the middle of an election campaign and I hope that Yorwaste stays true to its word and does not try to revisit these proposals at a later date. If they do, local residents can rest assured that I will continue to do everything I can to make sure that the views are heard loud and clear by those in charge.”
