The County Council proposes to build a 270,000 tonne incinerator in order to ‘solve’ the growing waste problem.

They are abusing policies put in place to encourage recycling by promoting the burning of general waste as an efficient, cheap and effective source of power.

The New Barnfield site currently houses the Central Resources Library and the Park Education Support Centre. Immediately next to the site are Southfield Special School; a wildlife area with a pond with protected species; and the Tesco distribution depot and Mitsubishi’s offices. Very close by are housing and recreation areas, more work-places, and the cemetery. (New Barnfield Details)

The incinerator will use household waste as ‘fuel’ to produce electricity, which initially sounds sensible and even ecologically friendly.  However, there are major issues with this both from a local and global perspective.

Locally

1. •The wide and uncontrolled range of rubbish burnt will produce high levels of pollution that will adversely affect the health of people in and around Hatfield.
   

2. •The need to provide ‘fuel’ for the incinerator will mean that Hertfordshire will have no reason to increase its level of recycling.
   

3. •There will be a massive increase in heavy lorries using the roads around the site.
   

4. •Hatfield would lose the Central Resources Library. Southfield School would suffer tremendously from noise and air pollution. The nearby wildlife area, footpaths and cycle-track would be also be polluted..
   

Globally

1. •Burning plastic, paper and other waste releases more carbon into the atmosphere, increasing greenhouse gasses.
   

2. •The system is actually a very inefficient way of converting fossil and other fuels into usable power.
   

Residents of Hatfield need to say no to the Council’s plans as the incinerator is not good for Hatfield, Hertfordshire or the country.