This in from Andrew Turner’s office, in their own words. Ed
Andrew Turner, the Island’s MP, has slammed Eurovia Roadstone, the company behind the controversial asphalt plant proposals in Arctic Road, Cowes for the way they have handled the planning application.
Mr Turner attended the packed public meeting in East Cowes Town Hall last month where residents asked a number of questions which were not answered, including one he asked himself about what Eurovia’s plans were, should their application be refused.
Failed to consult GKN Aerospace
Despite telling those present that further meetings would be held to enable people to respond to the public consultation, Eurovia have now arranged two dates which fall after the consultation period has closed.
It has also emerged that they have failed to consult GKN Aerospace, who operate in East Cowes, about how they could be affected by emissions from the proposed Asphalt plant.
Mr Turner said, “I have been watching this situation with increasing concern – it is a textbook example on the wrong way for applicants to deal planning applications.
“At the public information evening Eurovia representatives failed to answer perfectly reasonable questions from people whose lives would be affected by their plans. Then we learn they are planning to give further information about their proposals – but only after the public consultation period has closed.
“It smacks of incompetence or, even worse, a deliberate attempt to ensure that the public are not properly able to respond to what they know are highly controversial plans.”
Emissions from asphalt plant could shut down GKN
He went on to say, “Now we hear that GKN have not even been consulted about the proposed plant and how any emissions might affect them. GKN need clean rooms at both their sites with closely controlled air quality.
“If the wind blows the asphalt plant emissions towards them it could shut them down completely or cause damage to high specification aerospace components under manufacture. Either scenario would cost GKN many hundreds of thousands – or even millions – of pounds.
“GKN provide 1,200 high quality jobs which are hugely important to the Island’s economy – if GKN start to lose contracts because of interruptions to their manufacturing process or damage to key components it will doubtless cost the Island jobs. It seems as if Eurovia have not done their homework properly before putting in this application.”
