Mark Butcher, the former Surrey and England cricketer, is the latest Croydon celebrity to voice concerns about plans to build an incinerator on the border with Sutton.
Mark Butcher: shocked at plans to operate a waste incinerator in south London
“When I heard about the incinerator I couldn’t quite believe what I was hearing,” Butcher said.
“It seems every week news reports indicate that London’s air quality is appalling, so it seems crazy that the authorities have approved an incinerator that affects the residents of my home town of Croydon.”
Butcher has lived most of his life in South Croydon. The son of another England Test opener, Alan Butcher, in a 17-year first-class cricket career, which included captaining his county, Mark Butcher played in 71 internationals and scored Test eight centuries. Since his retirement from the game, he has worked as a television and radio pundit and also regularly performs as a guitarist in a rock band.
Butcher has joined JLS singer Jonathan Gill in signing the Stop the Incinerator Campaign’s petition.
“I wish Shasha Khan all the best in stopping the incinerator with his legal challenge,” Butcher said today.
Sutton Council formally approved the incinerator application last Friday, leaving campaigners six weeks to file papers for a Judicial Review with the High Court.
Shasha Khan, the co-leader of the local Green Party who is fronting the legal challenge, said, “I really appreciate Mark Butcher’s support.
“I have now instructed Deighton Pierce Glynn my solicitors to go ahead and send Sutton Council the letter threatening court action as soon as possible. I remain confident that we can preserve the open land for my daughter and for future generations.
“I would urge everyone who agrees with me and hasn’t already signed my petition on the stoptheincinerator.co.uk website to do it now.”
Coming to Croydon
- Norwood Society Talk: West Norwood Cemetery, Mar 20
- South Norwood Lakes Playground group workshop, Mar 25
- David Lean Cinema: Basically Johnny Moped, Mar 27-28
- Croydon Half-marathon, Mar 30
- David Lean Cinema: 12 Years a Slave, Apr 3
- David Lean Cinema: The Great Beauty, Apr 10
- Norwood Society Talk: Crystal Palace, Apr 17
- David Lean Cinema: Inside Llewyn Davis, Apr 17
- Opening of Marlpit Lane bowling and putting greens, Apr 17
- Arts and Crafts Market, Exchange Square, Apr 19
- David Lean Cinema: Short Term, Apr 24
- Norwood Society Talk: West Norwood – a place of change, May 15
- Norwood Society Talk: The Concrete Church, June 19
- Crystal Palace Overground Festival, June 26-29
- Norwood Society Talk: War Memorials, Sep 18
- Norwood Society Talk: From Fire Station to Theatre, Oct 16
- Norwood Society Talk: Lambeth’s Archives, Nov 20
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