Edward Garnier

Conservative Party | Harborough

Wigston’s MP Urges County Council Not To Put Waste Depot in Magna Road, South Wigston

Harborough, Oadby & Wigston MP Edward Garnier has written to David Parsons, the Leader of Leicestershire County Council, to urge the Council not to put a waste disposal and recycling site on land close to residential estates and streets and schools in his constituency.

The MP said today: “Of course we need to ensure that the County has suitable places for recycling and for waste disposal but, in my view, this is clearly not a suitable site for these activities. I have asked Councillor Parsons to urge the relevant committee and the Department of Community Services to take a very careful look at this proposal from a company in Nottingham called Wastecycle. The traffic will run to hundreds of heavy goods vehicles coming in and out of the proposed site every day and there is a real risk that not only will residents be unable to enjoy their own properties in peace and quiet but that school children will be endangered.”

Text of letter follows below:

“Dear David

Planning Application 2008/C217/08 Waste Recycling Site, South Wigston

I am beginning to receive large amounts of correspondence from constituents and several visitors to my advice surgeries concerned about a proposal to establish a waste disposal and recycling facility on land off Magna Road close to residential areas of Wigston and South Wigston. You may well have had your attention drawn to letters and articles in the Leicester Mercury about this proposal which is gathering considerable opposition from residents who live both very close to and in the wider locality of this site. I have been to this site on several occasions over the last few years before the idea of this proposal was mooted and understand, and sympathise with the concerns of my constituents which largely focus on the huge numbers of heavy lorries that will have to go through narrow residential streets to get to and from the site. There is also a large number of schools in the vicinity with crowds of pupils from primary age upwards walking along the pavements and cycling along the roads who may be endangered by the heavy goods vehicles.

Could I urge you to ensure that this proposal is looked at with the greatest degree of scepticism by the Department of Community Services and the relevant committee of elected councillors when the matter comes up for consideration? Clearly the County Council has to dispose of waste and to have available recycling facilities – I simply suggest that this is not a sensible site for these purposes. I would be happy to show you or your Council’s officers the site and its environs on a mutually convenient occasion if you would find that helpful.

Yours sincerely

Edward

Edward Garnier QC MP”