Following their public meeting last night, this in from the Wight Residents Against Asphalt Plant (WRAP). In their own words. Ed
Wight Residents Against Asphalt Plant (WRAP) drew a standing-room-only crowd at Bridge House in East Cowes on Wednesday night (13 June).
The group opposes plans by European company Eurovia to build a 24-hour asphalt (tarmac) plant on the banks of the River Medina off Arctic Road in Cowes, behind Cowes Medical Centre. Eurovia hopes to supply the asphalt for PFI contract winner Vinci.
Inaccuracies in information supplied
WRAP’s committee reported that previous information supplied by Eurovia to Cowes Town Council contained numerous inaccuracies.
WRAP also disclosed details of correspondence between Cowes Town Council and Aggregate Industries, parent company of Bardon Vectis (see embedded below).
Aggregate confirm that St Georges Down is an appropriate site for asphalt production for the Island’s PFI – eliminating the need for a new Medina site – and that Aggregate would be willing to enter into discussions with Vinci.
Use the most appropriate site
WRAP spokesperson Julia Hill said, “It is clear that information provided by Eurovia should be taken with a pinch of salt. If information about an issue as significant as the appropriateness of the existing Bardon Vectis site was incorrect, then one can’t help but wonder about the accuracy of the rest of Eurovia’s information.
“We are not against the production of asphalt on the Island. In fact, we recently wrote to congratulate the successful PFI bidder. However, it is common sense to use the most appropriate site and it is quite obvious this has not been fully assessed.”
Little support from councillors
WRAP supporters are also concerned about the positions of their individual Isle of Wight Council representatives.
Ms Hill said, “Several residents cited their correspondence with councillors such as Edward Giles and Roger Mazillius. They feel let down that they have not received the expected support. The Council’s own rules say that a member who is not part of a decision-making process is unlikely to affect the outcome by expressing a view.
“As neither of these Councillors sits on the planning committee, it is not unreasonable to expect them to represent the views of people in their ward. People are concerned that the time available to express their views at the future planning meeting will be cut short if their Councillors do not use the allotted time to represent their views.”
Growing support for WRAP
Residents attended from Cowes, East Cowes and as far afield as Wootton. Volunteers came forward to offer their expertise and pledges of financial help as well as raising new concerns and questions.
Embedded below, for your convenience, is the letter from Bardon Vectis’ parent company to Cowes Town Council, disputing claims made by Eurovia.
Also embedded are meeting notes of the Cowes Town Council meeting with Eurovia are embedded below.
