NoToLandfill submitted a comprehensive objection to that application in the autumn of 2005, in which we argued that the proposed development was neither acceptable nor necessary.

Since that time, the arguments against landfill as a solution to our waste disposal needs have been reinforced in numerous ways.

The EC Directive (1999) which set national targets for the UK to reduce reliance on landfill has been strengthened by the ever more clear need to avoid the harmful pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from landfill.

The Government's own Waste Strategy 2007, and reduced quotas for each waste disposal authority have made it clear that use of landfill must be drastically reduced between now and 2019/20.

Northumberland County Council has responded by developing a waste management strategy which has been incorporated into a long-term contract which will handle all of the county's waste from domestic and commercial premises through to 2034 so that landfill needs for such waste should be reduced to about 25,000 tonnes per annum, when a new incinerator facility is operational on Teesside.

A new landfill site with an annual capacity of 250-390,000 gross tonnes per annum is neither necessary nor acceptable.

Why should the residents of south east Northumberland see their backyard used as a refuse dump for the wider Tyneside area?

In short, Northumberland and in particular the residents of Seghill, Seaton Delaval, Earsdon, Backworth and Shiremoor should be able to look forward to an end to landfilling in their neighbourhood – a nuisance they have endured for 50 years: with all the attendant noise, odour and traffic pollution associated with this medieaval technology.

NoToLandfill will be given only five minutes to present its detailed arguments at the planning committee meeting.

However, a visit by the planning committee members of both Northumberland and North Tyneside Councils (which has a received a further application in respect of the access road and monstrous viaduct planned for the south side of the proposed new site) will take place on Monday, July 7, 2008, at the existing site.

Now is the time for action.

Anyone who believes this proposal should be refused planning permission can do no better than attend the demonstration planned for Monday morning next week (July 7) outside the entrance to the Seghill landfill site.

Full details are available on our website at www.NotoLandfill.com

The demonstration will assemble on the Seghill to Seaton Delaval road at 9.15am.

Come and show the planning committee members the strength of feeling against this new site. The future wellbeing of your children and grandchildren is dependent upon action to end the wasteful practice of landfill.

The future lies in proper management of discarded materials through re-use, recycling and recovery of heat or material through bio-treatment providing composts and other valuable by-products.

North Tyneside Council has recently agreed a waste strategy for the future but has yet to begin the planning or development of new methods of waste disposal.

This new site will only allow further delay and procrastination, with the attendant costs in landfill fines and landfill tax arising from failure to address the environmental and fiscal consequences of the new regime imposed by the EC and government's own requirements.

This new site must not be permitted. Once allowed to start operations the planned finish in 2022 will be overtaken by the inevitable need to reduce landfill in the face of punitive taxes and fines. In short the site could be taking a reduced amount of waste for years into the future, possibly until 2058 – the hundredth anniversary of the current site!

Such a prospect is just not acceptable. Action from all residents is needed now, to ensure that all councillors, but particularly those who will make the immediate decision, understand our arguments why this development must not be permitted.

Come and joins us on Monday at 9.15am at the Seghill site entrance.

ALAN FIDLER
Co-ordinator,
NoToLandfill Campaign.

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