Harrogate and Knaresborough MP, Andrew Jones, has welcomed City of York Council and North Yorkshire County Council’s decision to stop their Judicial Review of the Government’s decision to withdraw PFI tax credits for the Allerton Park incinerator scheme.
Mr Jones commented: The Judicial Review of the withdrawal of tax credits for the Allerton Park incinerator would have been a waste of more public money on this project. I am pleased therefore that City of York Council and North Yorkshire County Council have decided not to proceed.
It is difficult to see a way forward for this proposal retaining the incinerator element which already has in its wake a trail of problems and can only look forward to an uncertain future financially.
Thousands of local residents are opposed to the incinerator. Harrogate Council’s planning committee unanimously opposed it and Harrogate’s full Council also registered its strong opposition to the plans. The two local MPs, myself and Nigel Adams, also oppose the plans.
Looking ahead, the removal of PFI credits brings the whole project into question. This combined with the cost of delays, the lower than predicted increases in landfill taxes and the increase in recycling rates – particularly in the Harrogate district – really does make the financial case for proceeding difficult to sustain.
There is still a chance to work with local people and the contractors to implement a cost-effective, environmentally friendly and modern alternative to incineration. I want to work with North Yorkshire County Council and local residents’ groups to explore that opportunity. It is time to get everyone around the table again – councils, local people, MPs and the waste contractor – and agree a way to move on from this proposal.
