Javelin Park incinerator debate continues

Protesters gather outside Shire Hall Credit: ITV West

Protestors in gas masks and protective clothing will be on Shire Hall steps today [Tuesday] to try and stop Gloucestershire County Council going ahead with signing an incinerator contract with Urbaser Balfour Beatty (UBB). They will be calling on the council to stop taxpayer's money 'going up in smoke'.

The contract contains an undisclosed financial settlement believed to be between £15-£20m which is payable to UBB if planning permission is subsequently not granted. Concerns have been raised that this will put undue pressure upon the Planning Committee to grant planning permission.

County Councillors have submitted a procedural challenge to the Cabinet's decision and the grounds for the "call-in" will be debated today [Tuesday]. If successful, this will put a halt to the signing of the contract until the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee have further reviewed the decision-making process.

The County Council's Cabinet ignored the previous recommendation by Scrutiny Committee that the Cabinet should not award the contract until after the Planning Committee has made a decision.