The Stop the Incinerator Campaign is staging a fund-raising Quiz Night on February 24, with all money raised going towards the costs of paying for a Judicial Review of Sutton Council’s decision to allow a waste incinerator to be built on Beddington Lane.
The Quiz Night will be staged at the Oval Tavern, Oval Road, and costs £10 per person, including a vegan and vegetarian buffet.
Campaigners started the legal action this month, and believe that they could do enough to delay the project at least until after May’s local elections. With planning permission for the incinerator granted by the Mayor of London, final negotiations are on-going between operators Viridor, who stand to get a £1 billion, 25-year contract, and Sutton, as part of the South London Waste Partnership which also include Merton, Kingston and Croydon.
The costs of Judicial Reviews vary widely, from at least £5,000 to £60,000 or more. Even at the bottom end of estimates, that is hardly “easy access” to the legal system for ordinary individuals to question in the courts the legality of the actions of their local councils and other statutory bodies.
The campaign has so far raised £3,500.
As well as advice from leading environmental lawyers, the Stop the Incinerator Campaign has also received legal counsel from Justine Thornton, the wife of Ed Miliband, the leader of the Labour Party.
Campaigners believe the proposed facility poses serious risks to public health, and cite studies linking incinerators to increased rates of cancer, birth defects and infant mortality.
“The longer we can delay the decision the better,” said Paul Pickering, the chairman of Stop the Incinerator Campaign.
“We’ve got elections coming up in May and if one or more of the councils changed then there’s a possibility that one may pull out of the South London Waste Partnership and the whole deal could collapse.
“Whether it will delay the incinerator and to what extent is unclear, but certainly any sort of delay is helpful.”
- Flawed inspection regime highlights health risks of incinerators
- Video: How LibDem changed his “mind” on incinerator
- Incinerator campaigners to take battle to judicial review
Coming to Croydon
- Norwood Society talk, Upper Norwood Library, Jan 16
- Croydon Ramblers, Chelsham walk, Jan 19
- STDLCC Screening: The East, Jan 20
- STDLCC Screening: Winter Nomads, Jan 27
- Coulsdon and Purley Debating Society, Feb 3
- Babylon at the Spread Eagle Theatre, Feb 4-6
- Steve Knightly at Stanley Halls: Feb 5
- Purley Swimathon: Feb 8 and 13
- Mark Steel at Ashcroft Theatre, Feb 12
- Norwood Society talk, Upper Norwood Library, Feb 20
- Mr Pooter comes to Croydon, Feb 20-22
- Coulsdon and Purley Debating Society, Mar 3
- Norwood Society talk, Upper Norwood Library, Mar 20
- If you have a news story about life in or around Croydon, a residents’ or business association or local event, please email us with full details at inside.croydon@btinternet.com
The event will start at 7pm! Thanks for this article.