MP takes a bitter battle to stop a huge waste-processing plant going ahead in a conservation village near Rugby straight to the Government

An MP has taken a bitter battle to stop a huge waste-processing plant going ahead in a pretty Harborough conservation village straight to the Government.

Alberto Costa, the MP for South Leicestershire, has spoken to Rebecca Pow, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), as the fierce fight escalates.

The Conservative MP set up the meeting to air villagers’ grievances over the contentious recycling scheme proposed for Shawell, near Lutterworth.

Waste management company Beauparc Group wants to turn Cotesbach Mechanical Biological Treatment Unit, closed since 2016, into a waste-processing centre.

It could process over 150,000 tonnes of waste a year from all over the UK.

Furious villagers are warning the massive project would spark thousands more lorry trips every year, triggering catastrophic congestion on rural roads.

“Following my raising this matter with the Prime Minister at the end of June, I was very pleased to meet the DEFRA Parliamentary Under Secretary of State to again reiterate the very understandable concerns of my constituents in Shawell toward these plans.

“This was a very useful discussion with the Environment Minister about the UK’s wider waste plans - and how appropriately placed recycling centres can fit into this from a local perspective,” said Mr Costa.

“It goes without saying that I absolutely support recycling.

“I believe we should all do everything we can to support the environment.

“However, it is also about finding the appropriate location to situate these sites.

“I am not convinced that a lovely, rural part of South Leicestershire is one of those.

“My constituents in Shawell have very serious concerns about air quality and the volume of traffic entering their village.

“It’s hugely important that their voices are heard when the local council comes to make their decision on this proposal.”

Cllr Jonathan Bateman, Harborough District Councillor for Misterton Ward, said: “My sincere thanks go again to Alberto for continuing to raise the concerns of local residents at the very highest level of Government.

“The new waste site plans in Shawell are deeply unpopular with people in the village and in surrounding areas, many of whom would like to see greatly-reduced congestion and fewer HGV movements on local roads.”

Over 240 villagers have sent their objections to Leicestershire County Council in a bid to block the controversial blueprint in historic Shawell.

Natasha Raven, 42, one of the mass protest leaders, told the Harborough Mail: “Our campaign to stop this plant being opened has really taken off.

“Feelings are running so high – and not just here in Shawell but all over the area.

“A lot of people have families and young children and the last thing we want is thousands more HGVs thundering through every year.”

A Beauparc spokesman said: “Beauparc are aware of the strength of feeling towards this facility generated whilst under the management of the previous company, New Earth Solutions, and the imminent recommencement of activities under the existing planning permission/proposed planning application for alterations to the activities on site.

“There are no changes to the site layout but substantial investment is proposed to process waste in a completely different and controlled manner, to minimise emissions and operate more efficiently.

“The operations have been carefully assessed and as part of planning there has been extensive consultation and third party review.”

He added: “We have reviewed all consultation responses carefully and continue to listen to the parish council and local residents’ concerns.

“We welcome the scrutiny the application has been subject to and as necessary have responded to the planning authority accordingly.

“We will continue to engage with the parish councils and residents during the recommencement of operations at the site, whether under the extant planning and permits or under the revised proposals.”