Waste firm must build bridges too
THE debate over plans to build a recycling plant in Norton has provoked fierce debate. Issues such as this always do.
On the one hand is the local community, fearful of what will happen to their peaceful village. On the other, the needs of the wider community to recycle more and send less waste to the ever-growing mountains of landfill.
The shouts of "shame on you" and accusations yelled from the public gallery at yesterday's meeting, where the application was approved, show the strength of feeling within the Norton community.
People living in the village have every right to make their protests heard. They are worried about noise from the plant, large trucks rumbling through their narrow streets, and pollution. Certainly, such a large operation will have some impact on their quality of life as well as the value of their homes.
Unfortunately, waste is an issue that must be tackled. And plants such as this proposed recycling centre must be put somewhere.
If those behind the plans suggested an alternative site, there would be similar uproar from the people living close to it.
This row is not over yet. The campaigners will fight on and it could be years before the plant is ready. But if and when it is, the waste firm behind it must make every effort to minimise the disruption to and the impact on the local community.
To do this, it will also need to build bridges with local people. And that will be its toughest challenge yet.
8:25am Wednesday 13th June 2007
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