Joy as biomass burner in Christchurch is told to cease operations

Interserve House at Airfield Way, Somerford, in Christchurch Interserve House at Airfield Way, Somerford, in Christchurch

CHRISTCHURCH residents are celebrating after a contentious application which has “ruined people’s lives” was thrown out last week.

A retrospective application by Interserve in Airfield Way, Somerford, to retain a biomass burner was turned down by planning committee councillors over concerns about the level of noise it created.

Neighbouring residents of Croft Road and Greenacres have been campaigning for nearly five years against the burner, claiming their homes are covered in dust and sticky particles.

They said there was a constant loud whine from the burner and expressed concerns their health was suffering as a result of its operation.

Speaking in support of residents, Grange Cllr Denise Jones said that she had been involved in the case for more than four years and during that time the company had “ruined people’s lives”.

Fellow ward Cllr Paul Hilliard pointed out that the trees closest to the burner had died, and this was a serious cause for concern.

The application was recommended for approval by officers who thought there was no material harm to nearby properties.

Officers concluded measures to control the noise met the requirements of environmental health officers, with levels of dust and fumes able to be controlled by further legislation.

However, councillors disagreed and the application was refused on the chairman’s casting vote.

David Jones, county councillor for Burton Grange said after the meeting: “The company has repeatedly been told that it needs a licence for its burner and it also needs planning permission.

“It was given six months to respond to concerns but it repeatedly flouted the conditions of the permission. I hope now that it respects the Committee’s decision and ceases to operate.”

No-one at Interserve was available for comment.

Comments(11)

power_ranger says...
6:02pm Sun 1 Jul 12

“ruined people’s lives”?!

Loosing your sight might "ruin your life".

Having a partner murdered might "ruin your life".

being put in prison for a crime you didnt commit might "ruin your life"...
but a burner?
are these people for real?

Victor_Meldrew_ Jnr says...
6:05pm Sun 1 Jul 12

Well done to County Councillor David Jones and Borough Councillors Denise Jones and Paul Hilliard. Thank you for the support you have given to residents. If only the rest of CBC Conservative Group followed suit.

winton50 says...
6:45pm Sun 1 Jul 12

Victor_Meldrew_ Jnr wrote:
Well done to County Councillor David Jones and Borough Councillors Denise Jones and Paul Hilliard. Thank you for the support you have given to residents. If only the rest of CBC Conservative Group followed suit.
Why should the conservative group follow suit?

they always vote for business against the little man.

High Treason says...
7:11pm Sun 1 Jul 12

power_ranger wrote:
“ruined people’s lives”?!

Loosing your sight might "ruin your life".

Having a partner murdered might "ruin your life".

being put in prison for a crime you didnt commit might "ruin your life"...
but a burner?
are these people for real?
"the trees closest to the burner had died, and this was a serious cause for concern."

Yes a burner! believe it or not it can cause severe environmental damage and health issues if it is not used correctly.

penhale says...
7:46pm Sun 1 Jul 12

Officers concluded measures to control the noise met the requirements of environmental health officers,.
.
Just shows how much these council officers know, quite often they put business operators local residents, I seriously believe this department of the council is a complete waste of time and money.

power_ranger says...
11:48pm Sun 1 Jul 12

High Treason wrote:
power_ranger wrote: “ruined people’s lives”?! Loosing your sight might "ruin your life". Having a partner murdered might "ruin your life". being put in prison for a crime you didnt commit might "ruin your life"... but a burner? are these people for real?
"the trees closest to the burner had died, and this was a serious cause for concern." Yes a burner! believe it or not it can cause severe environmental damage and health issues if it is not used correctly.
get real!

bgf2 says...
8:32am Mon 2 Jul 12

I'd be interested to know what "biomass" fuel this burner was using - and why. Was it a waste incinerator perhaps or a wood burner or what? Makes a big difference in deciding whether you want one next door.

Turtlebay says...
11:53am Mon 2 Jul 12

Used disposable nappies are among the materials burned. Why not move next door to it Power Ranger?

spooki says...
1:41pm Mon 2 Jul 12

“The company has repeatedly been told that it needs a licence for its burner and it also needs planning permission.
“It was given six months to respond to concerns but it repeatedly flouted the conditions of the permission." So why was it allowed for so long? They soon jumped on my friends home extension for being a foot too high and that didn't pump out goodness knows what.

Loyal2AFCB says...
7:55pm Tue 3 Jul 12

So far there has not been much joy for the residents on the other side of Somerford Road trying to prevent an office block being built where their community centre currently stands.

arsenal82 says...
5:31pm Wed 4 Jul 12

the bio mass burner as keeps being qouted is in fact a waste controller burning wood only now they have told interserve to stop using this piece of machinery that was installed to make the company more enviromently friendly means all there waste is now going to land fill and on a louder note these people choose to live next door to an industrail estate so surely they need to expect niose to a satistaforcatory level during working hours and as for them saying the trees closet to the burner are dead or dying couldnt be further from the thurth the r thriving and r the greenest trees along that strecth of land come on the concil sort it out as all they have donee is create more waste going to land fill how green is that

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