Wasted opportunity to consult public over Abbotswood - Farrin

5.17.32pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 26th Jul 2006

Councillor John Farrin, spokesperson for the Lib Dems on West Berks Council on waste issues, has slammed the Conservatives over the lack of public consultation undertaken in the Abbotswood waste site proposals.

He commented:

"My Lib Dem colleagues and I are appalled by the lack of public consultation taking place over Conservative plans to site a replacement to the Pinchington Lane household waste and recycling centre (HWRC) at Abbotswood. Councillor Geoff Findlay alienated the people of Padworth with his supercilious approach to their concerns regarding waste facilities there - he is now treating the people of Greenham and Newbury with equal contempt."

Following the news that the planning application has been postponed from the July meeting of the planning committee to September, Councillor Farrin continued:

"This continues the uncertainty that the residents of Greenham and St. Johns are suffering. What have the Conservatives done to engage with the public and allay their fears? Where are their plans to ensure that the roads and local infrastructure can cope with this new site? We will do everything we can to ensure that Councillor Findlay and his Conservative colleagues are held to account over their waste strategy - which is about as clear as mud at present."