We always welcome a Letter to the Editor to share with our readers. This one from Tanja Rebel. The views are her own. Ed
Yesterday saw a very successful protest meeting in East-Cowes regarding the proposed Asphalt Plant along the beautiful river Medina.
It was one of several concurrent meetings on the same topic and I am sure that the people who attended the other meetings are as incensed about these ludicrous plans as the people of East-Cowes.
Consultation deadline looming
All this has set me thinking: There is precious little time left (until the 18th of May) to make our objections against the plant heard (application details).
One of the reasons for that is that people have not been informed on time, which – of course – forms part of a planning system that benefits from keeping people in the dark. However, another reason is that people – myself included – tend to react against the symptoms, rather than the cause…
Link to Highways PFI
The plans for an Asphalt Plant are closely linked to the proposed PFI Highways deal, threatening to bind the island to a 25 year long commitment which – in today’s financial climate – will mean a considerable risk take.
Moreover, the environmental crisis we find ourselves in will lead to substantial changes in transport modes and transport links within the next decades, so this PFI is already obsolete from start.
Under negotiation
The PFI deal is now under negotiation, but (if we live in a democracy at all) it is not a done deal yet.
Therefore, if we are to stop the plans for an Asphalt Plant, we need to focus on one of its root causes, namely the tendency of this current Council to use tax payers’ money for economically and ecologically unviable projects, such as the Highways PFI.
Re-industrialise the River Medina
Another root cause is the grand vision to re-industrialise the River Medina to the detriment of the local environment, as well as further afield. Plans for a huge industrial-sized Biomass Plant along Stag Lane form part of this “vision”.
This plant would get all its wood from abroad – leading to a considerable carbon footprint – as well as emit microscopic particles (for which there are no safe levels), heavy metals and other chemicals which will affect local flora and fauna as well as people’s lungs.
Look at the bigger picture
The plans to “develop” the river area can be found in the Core Strategy Plan, where it is also suggested houses are built all the way up to Arctic Road.
Thus, if we oppose the Asphalt Plant – which most people with common sense do – we need to again look at the bigger picture and try to save the whole river area from the current destructive plans, including the threat that is now being levelled at Newport Harbour.
Transformation of the harbour
This harbour has for centuries been a working harbour, but the Council now wants to transform it into some form of tourism Mecca, with no regard for people working there or the environmental benefits of having goods transported over water.
Lots to look into, in other words but – before you give up – remember that all these plans are connected and form part of a common theme!
Challenge this obsolete way of thinking
All these ludicrous large-scale, environmentally destructive plans belong to old-paradigm thinking where short term financial gain is put before anything else – nowadays often under a so-called green disguise.
It is high time to challenge this obsolete way of thinking by moving into a new paradigm where planet and people are put before profits.
Anyone questioning the viability of this new-paradigm thinking needs to realise that it is possible to develop small-scale, genuinely eco-friendly, humane businesses which generate jobs whilst at the same time being soft to the earth. We just need to get our priorities right.
Image: Bigger Picture under CC BY 2.0
