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Campaigners win Radley Lakes battle
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| Members of the Save Radley Lakes Group |
Campaigners are claiming victory in their three-year battle to stop dumping of fuel ash at Radley Lakes, near Abingdon.
Thrupp Lake has been handed a lifeline after the Waste Recycling Group was given permission to take an extra 400,000 tonnes of spent pulverised fuel ash from Didcot Power Station that had been earmarked for the lake.
Oxfordshire County Council's decision has been greeted with joy by the Save Radley Lakes campaign group.
Members have so far spent more than £50,000 and raised 11,500 signatures on a petition to fight RWE npower's plans to dump ash in the eight hectare wildlife site.
Protesters hope the ruling means the power station owner will not need to dump any ash into the man-made lake before the 2,000 megawatt station's planned closure in 2015.
RWE npower had won permission to dump the ash in Thrupp Lake, but last night said it was now extremely unlikely.
The decision by the county council's planning committee comes 18 months after campaigners identified WRG's spare capacity at the Sutton Courtenay landfill site.
SRL chairman Dr Basil Crowley said: "This is an excellent outcome. As far as we can see, the stockpile at Sutton Courtenay will take all the ash that might otherwise have gone into Thrupp Lake.
"We're very pleased. We have always said there ought to be a better way to dispose of Didcot's ash and there seems to be no need at all now for npower to destroy Thrupp Lake."
Helen Beckett, of Selwyn Crescent, Radley, said it was excellent news, adding: "The majority of the village still use those lakes to go walking, they're just so beautiful."
Oxford West and Abingdon MP Evan Harris said: "I'm delighted. This should finally ensure that Thrupp Lake has a long and healthy future."
Although npower says it has no plans to use the lake, it has not ruled having to make an emergency dump if the building industry market for some of the 250,000 tonnes of pulverised ash it produces every year dries up.
Spokesman Leon Flexman said: "It would be a last resort but if the National Grid asks us to go up to maximum capacity in an emergency, and we have no other spare room, the ash would have to go in the lake.
"We still need to draw up a satisfactory contract with WRG and we need to hope there is not a severe downturn in the housing market, meaning people don't want to take our ash."
6:49pm Tuesday 22nd July 2008
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CommentPosted by: John, Banbury on 7:56pm Tue 22 Jul 08
Well done to the Radley Lakes group! Just shows what a determined group of people who refused to give up, even when their cause seemed hopeless, can do. So once again, well done!
Well done to the Radley Lakes group! Just shows what a determined group of people who refused to give up, even when their cause seemed hopeless, can do. So once again, well done!
Posted by: Lakesaver on 11:34pm Tue 22 Jul 08
We haven't won the Campaign yet. That will be the day that NPower announces they do not need Thrupp Lake and are handing it over to the community! The Legal Process to have the area classified as a Town Green is still underway and this has to continue if NPower are still intent on using the area as a waste dump.
We haven't won the Campaign yet. That will be the day that NPower announces they do not need Thrupp Lake and are handing it over to the community! The Legal Process to have the area classified as a Town Green is still underway and this has to continue if NPower are still intent on using the area as a waste dump.
Posted by: Mr Ison, England on 12:19am Wed 23 Jul 08
There is still the problem off fly tipping.
There is still the problem off fly tipping.
Posted by: Edward G, oxford on 12:59am Wed 23 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Mr Ison[/bold] wrote:
There is still the problem off fly tipping.[/quote] Personally I usually tip between 10 -15% depending on the level of the fly service
Mr Ison wrote:
There is still the problem off fly tipping.
Personally I usually tip between 10 -15% depending on the level of the fly service
Posted by: Alan Page, Doppelgangster on 1:19am Wed 23 Jul 08
I am a worm.
Posted by: Leon Flexman, npower on 8:37am Wed 23 Jul 08
All, Lakesaver is right, we're looking hard at a number of alternatives to Thrupp Lake, including the WRG possibility, but we're not quite there yet. I thought it might be useful to post our response to the OCC decision:
npower welcomes OCC planning decision regarding WRG proposals, which include potential ash storage
We welcome the decision to grant planning permission for Waste Recycling Group's proposals for future use of its site at SuttonCourtenay, which include potential ash storage.
We're investigating a number of possible options for ash re-use, including some significant construction contracts, and potential use at the WRG site.
This planning permission is an important step in progressing our discussions with WRG and we're looking forward to receiving details of their plan from them.
Over the years we've only sent around 30% of our ash to the Radley gravelpits, with the remainder being recycled or reused. We're very focused onlooking for alternative options.
We will keep people informed of developments and we're also keen to progress discussions with the local community about the future management of the area.
All, Lakesaver is right, we're looking hard at a number of alternatives to Thrupp Lake, including the WRG possibility, but we're not quite there yet. I thought it might be useful to post our response to the OCC decision:
npower welcomes OCC planning decision regarding WRG proposals, which include potential ash storage
We welcome the decision to grant planning permission for Waste Recycling Group's proposals for future use of its site at SuttonCourtenay, which include potential ash storage.
We're investigating a number of possible options for ash re-use, including some significant construction contracts, and potential use at the WRG site.
This planning permission is an important step in progressing our discussions with WRG and we're looking forward to receiving details of their plan from them.
Over the years we've only sent around 30% of our ash to the Radley gravelpits, with the remainder being recycled or reused. We're very focused onlooking for alternative options.
We will keep people informed of developments and we're also keen to progress discussions with the local community about the future management of the area.
Posted by: Anon on 9:11am Wed 23 Jul 08
So even N power are admitting it's not over yet!! good luck radley lakes and do not let your selves be lured into a false sense of security
So even N power are admitting it's not over yet!! good luck radley lakes and do not let your selves be lured into a false sense of security
Posted by: Phil, Oxford on 9:20am Wed 23 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Leon Flexman[/bold] wrote:
All, Lakesaver is right, we're looking hard at a number of alternatives to Thrupp Lake, including the WRG possibility, but we're not quite there yet. I thought it might be useful to post our response to the OCC decision:
npower welcomes OCC planning decision regarding WRG proposals, which include potential ash storage
We welcome the decision to grant planning permission for Waste Recycling Group's proposals for future use of its site at SuttonCourtenay, which include potential ash storage.
We're investigating a number of possible options for ash re-use, including some significant construction contracts, and potential use at the WRG site.
This planning permission is an important step in progressing our discussions with WRG and we're looking forward to receiving details of their plan from them.
Over the years we've only sent around 30% of our ash to the Radley gravelpits, with the remainder being recycled or reused. We're very focused onlooking for alternative options.
We will keep people informed of developments and we're also keen to progress discussions with the local community about the future management of the area. [/quote] Does that mean drop the ridiculous injunction that criminalises just about any sort of protest at the lakes?
Leon Flexman wrote:
All, Lakesaver is right, we're looking hard at a number of alternatives to Thrupp Lake, including the WRG possibility, but we're not quite there yet. I thought it might be useful to post our response to the OCC decision:
npower welcomes OCC planning decision regarding WRG proposals, which include potential ash storage
We welcome the decision to grant planning permission for Waste Recycling Group's proposals for future use of its site at SuttonCourtenay, which include potential ash storage.
We're investigating a number of possible options for ash re-use, including some significant construction contracts, and potential use at the WRG site.
This planning permission is an important step in progressing our discussions with WRG and we're looking forward to receiving details of their plan from them.
Over the years we've only sent around 30% of our ash to the Radley gravelpits, with the remainder being recycled or reused. We're very focused onlooking for alternative options.
We will keep people informed of developments and we're also keen to progress discussions with the local community about the future management of the area.
Does that mean drop the ridiculous injunction that criminalises just about any sort of protest at the lakes?
Posted by: Tasha, Witney on 9:33am Wed 23 Jul 08
This article makes really happy reading! Keep it up guys, we are almost there!
This article makes really happy reading! Keep it up guys, we are almost there!
Posted by: Bill, Radley on 10:07am Wed 23 Jul 08
This is terrible news. I can't believe the hippies are winning this one. A true blow for British industry.
This is terrible news. I can't believe the hippies are winning this one. A true blow for British industry.
Posted by: Hans Offarlakes, Radley on 11:59am Wed 23 Jul 08
[quote]Leon Flexman said: "It would be a last resort but if the National Grid asks us to go up to maximum capacity in an emergency, and we have no other spare room, the ash would have to go in the lake.[/quote]
Leon, I find this statement bewildering. What kind of emergency would allow you to engage contractors, engineer Thrupp Lake to take the ash and get a waste (PPC) licence from the Environment Agency? All this would take at least 6 months, probably more, and be very costly. Or are you [bold]really[/bold] suggesting that npower might go ahead develop Thrupp Lake for PFA disposal anyway "just in case" it is needed later. That would be absurd, and would be a PR disaster for you! By any reckoning, 400,000 tonnes additional stockpiling capacity, plus what WRG already take, plus what you can readily dispose of by other means, is more than enough to allow you to give up Thrupp Lake now. Even if this negligible risk is a serious concern to you, there would be better ways of covering it than that! So why not earn yourself some brownie points by publicly giving up your proposal to put ash in Thrupp Lake, and by engaging positively with the community to mend bridges and to help in improving the Radley Lakes area for its wildlife and for use as a public amenity?
Surely that is worth [bold]something[/bold] to you?
Leon Flexman said: "It would be a last resort but if the National Grid asks us to go up to maximum capacity in an emergency, and we have no other spare room, the ash would have to go in the lake.
Leon, I find this statement bewildering. What kind of emergency would allow you to engage contractors, engineer Thrupp Lake to take the ash and get a waste (PPC) licence from the Environment Agency? All this would take at least 6 months, probably more, and be very costly. Or are you
really suggesting that npower might go ahead develop Thrupp Lake for PFA disposal anyway "just in case" it is needed later. That would be absurd, and would be a PR disaster for you! By any reckoning, 400,000 tonnes additional stockpiling capacity, plus what WRG already take, plus what you can readily dispose of by other means, is more than enough to allow you to give up Thrupp Lake now. Even if this negligible risk is a serious concern to you, there would be better ways of covering it than that! So why not earn yourself some brownie points by publicly giving up your proposal to put ash in Thrupp Lake, and by engaging positively with the community to mend bridges and to help in improving the Radley Lakes area for its wildlife and for use as a public amenity?
Surely that is worth
something to you?
Posted by: Lakesaver on 12:06pm Wed 23 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Bill[/bold] wrote:
This is terrible news. I can't believe the hippies are winning this one. A true blow for British industry.[/quote] Dear Bill, I am not a hippy and I never was one in the 60s.
I am a professional hard-working individual who cares about my village and what happens in it.
I don't follow a hedonistic lifestyle.
I have given up a full time job to be involved in this campaign because I felt so seriously about it.
What Save Radley Lakes have proved is that there was an alternative.
What a pity Oxfordshire County Council Officers didn't look a bit harder at the alternatives. This is what we did and we were right. It would have saved an awful lot of money if they had listened to us in the first place.
Bill wrote:
This is terrible news. I can't believe the hippies are winning this one. A true blow for British industry.
Dear Bill, I am not a hippy and I never was one in the 60s.
I am a professional hard-working individual who cares about my village and what happens in it.
I don't follow a hedonistic lifestyle.
I have given up a full time job to be involved in this campaign because I felt so seriously about it.
What Save Radley Lakes have proved is that there was an alternative.
What a pity Oxfordshire County Council Officers didn't look a bit harder at the alternatives. This is what we did and we were right. It would have saved an awful lot of money if they had listened to us in the first place.
Posted by: Swampsnake, Oxford on 1:30pm Wed 23 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Mr Ison[/bold] wrote:
There is still the problem off fly tipping.[/quote] For once Reichsmouthpiece Ison has come up with something correct. He must know the area. There is a serious fly tipping problem in that area. Are you one of them?
I know because I cycle by the lake.
The biggest winners in this case were the owners of ''Sandles'' who got £3 million for the house by the lake. Hope you end up bankrupt you greedy b@st@rds.
Mr Ison wrote:
There is still the problem off fly tipping.
For once Reichsmouthpiece Ison has come up with something correct. He must know the area. There is a serious fly tipping problem in that area. Are you one of them?
I know because I cycle by the lake.
The biggest winners in this case were the owners of ''Sandles'' who got £3 million for the house by the lake. Hope you end up bankrupt you greedy b@st@rds.
Posted by: saddletramp, wantage on 1:50pm Wed 23 Jul 08
didcot power station is currently 2 shifting, that is not generating at night becaus there is not enough power to go round.(they should be on shut down for the summer)There are 9 coal fired power stations due to close in the next seven years + nukes.There will not be enoogh power to go around and there is nothing in the pipeline.Do not be surprised if didcot power station is still generating long after 2015.Last weekend they were being paid £69 per mega-watt to generate.2000mw x £69
= £188,000 and dont forget that is per hour or over £4 million per day.The germans wont give that up easily!
didcot power station is currently 2 shifting, that is not generating at night becaus there is not enough power to go round.(they should be on shut down for the summer)There are 9 coal fired power stations due to close in the next seven years + nukes.There will not be enoogh power to go around and there is nothing in the pipeline.Do not be surprised if didcot power station is still generating long after 2015.Last weekend they were being paid £69 per mega-watt to generate.2000mw x £69
= £188,000 and dont forget that is per hour or over £4 million per day.The germans wont give that up easily!
Posted by: Otter on 3:36pm Wed 23 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Bill[/bold] wrote:
This is terrible news. I can't believe the hippies are winning this one. A true blow for British industry.[/quote] Errr .. don't you mean GERMAN industry, Bill?!
Doh!!
Bill wrote:
This is terrible news. I can't believe the hippies are winning this one. A true blow for British industry.
Errr .. don't you mean GERMAN industry, Bill?!
Doh!!
Posted by: Otter on 3:48pm Wed 23 Jul 08
"Leon Flexman said: "It would be a last resort but if the National Grid asks us to go up to maximum capacity in an emergency, [bold]and we have no other spare room[/bold] , the ash would have to go in the lake."
Surely, Mr Flexman, the point is to make sure that you always [bold]do[/bold] have enough spare room to deal with an emergency, should one arise?
It's just a question of thinking and planning ahead, being flexible, and managing things well, isn't it? These are things which the private sector is supposed to be very good at.
There really shouldn't be a problem, should there?
"Leon Flexman said: "It would be a last resort but if the National Grid asks us to go up to maximum capacity in an emergency,
and we have no other spare room , the ash would have to go in the lake."
Surely, Mr Flexman, the point is to make sure that you always
do have enough spare room to deal with an emergency, should one arise?
It's just a question of thinking and planning ahead, being flexible, and managing things well, isn't it? These are things which the private sector is supposed to be very good at.
There really shouldn't be a problem, should there?
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