Incinerator plans by Reprotech

Reprotech has just formally lodged a request with East Sussex County Council to see if it can begin energy-from-waste incineration at its existing site on Bexhill Road at Pebsham without the need for extra planning permission.

Resident Marion Edmunds is now calling on councillors to reject the proposal.

"We really don't want anything else at Pebsham. We don't know what the emissions are we have no idea what's coming out of that chimney.

"This affects the whole of Bexhill and St Leonards. People should should be concerned."

Mrs Edmunds, who together with her husband Brian is a member of the Pebsham Residents Action Group (PRAG), said she didn't see how the company could be allowed to press ahead with its electricity generation plan in the light of plans for a country park between Bexhill and Hastings.

Objectors had been expecting the latest move after Reprotech had warned it would go through the normal planning channels to get permission for the incinerator.

It comes after the House of Lords rejected the company's claim that it automatically bought energy-from-waste rights when it purchased the fuel pellet plant from the county.

A county council spokeswoman said Reprotech had applied for what's called a certificate of lawful development.

"They are asking, 'Are they able to generate power without having any other planning permission?'. In effect, can they do it on their existing planning permission?."

She added the application isn't likely to be discussed by councillors before July at the earliest.

Reprotech's general manager, David Watts said if it proved unsuccessful the company would submit a planning application.

He added: "We comply with all the European directives on emissions and the Environment Agency's directives as well."

p Comments on the application (ref RR/2002/1160/CM) should be made to the Director of Transport and Environment, East Sussex County Council, County Hall, St Anne's Crescent, Lewes BN7 1UE by June 13.