BRIGHTON GROUP NEWSLETTER
Issue 8February 1998 |
Southern Water do another U turn - or have they?? |
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Other newsMinister for Pooh: Demo'd by VicMore Vic cardsPlanning Application News -
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The battle for UV treatment at the Portobello outfall has gone decidedly weird.On 9th January, the Environment Agency put out a press release accusing Southern Water of going back on their decision in November to put in secondary treatment (which is the normal minimum requirement and usually needed before UV can be installed). Southern Water had submitted the comprehensive studies needed to justify only putting in primary treatment. SAS got coverage on local radio and in the Argus with its response. Our initial reaction was that Southern Water were trying to pull a fast one and sticking two fingers up to SAS and all the local residents, Councils and MPs who are campaigning for UV and had won the major concession of secondary treatment. However, it appears as if it is actually OFWAT (who set our water rates) which has required Southern Water to submit the studies, in order to explore the possibility of cutting the cost of the Portobello scheme. This is despite a High Court case in 1996 which decided that cost should not be taken into account when meeting the relevant European Directive. Stewart Derwent, Southern Water's Managing Director, wrote to SAS stating "Let me emphasise that Southern Water is continuing to plan on the basis of secondary treatment being installed at Portobello". Nevertheless, we must watch them like a hawk to stop them going back on this promise. The Environment Agency has called a public meeting to discuss the proposals. It is vital that as many supporters turn up as possible to insist on UV. The meeting will be on February 19th at the Meridian Centre in Peacehaven at 7.30pm (probably - to confirm time phone 570261). |
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Minister for Poo demo'd by Vic |
Vic the Virus made his first trip out of Brighton on January 26th when the wetsuited and gasmasked hitsquad visited the offices of Michael Meacher, the Minister for Poo, to present our petition and letter calling for UV at the Portobello. Good media coverage was co-ordinated by Richard Hardy. |
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More Vic cards
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With this newsletter will be some Vic the Virus postcards. One is going to East Sussex County Council which is considering the planning application for the Portobello and the other is to Michael Meacher, the Minister for Poo. Please sign them and send them off - politicians take public reaction seriously. Michael Meacher was already aware of our calls having visited the Portobello last March and had his ear bent by Andrew at the Labour Party Conference. On January 13th he announced that the Government would be investigating extra sewage treatment at locations used by windsurfers and surfers. The message is getting through at last! |
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Planning Application News - Get yer pens out! |
As part of their planning application for secondary treatment, Southern Water have prepared an Environmental Statement which details the effects of the scheme and alternatives considered. Unfortunately, it costs £100 to buy it, but we have been sent a non technical summary which will be at our next meeting (note new venue). The plans do not show an area for UV, although the text of the document says that land will be set aside "to accommodate additional stages of treatment should these be required by future legislation". They also intend to import sewage sludge from other sewage works and dry it before sending to be spread on farmland. Electricity will be generated on site from the methane produced by the sewage - this could also power UV in the future. We are opposing the planning application on the grounds that it does not take into account the advantages to local amenity and the economy that UV would bring. East Sussex County Council (who are considering the application) did studies a few years ago that revealed that sewage pollution of beaches was the most important local environmental issue. Tourism is worth £500m annually and supports 21 000 jobs in the County. Installing UV would be good for the people of Peacehaven and Telscombe, as well as the rest of the surrounding area and good for jobs. These are relevant planning considerations. Please find a few minutes to write to the County Council to tell them this. Quoting reference number LW/195/CM, write to: Bob Wilkins, |
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