Sustain Wiltshire, an innovative green energy organisation, has announced its withdrawal from Wiltshire Council’s upcoming Climate and Environment Summit. The decision comes in response to significant delays in planning approval for their ambitious Super-Midden project, which aims to transform a landfill site in Royal Wootton Bassett into a sustainable hub producing renewable energy and affordable local food.
The project, submitted for planning permission in July 2024, has faced an 11-month delay, including a six-month wait for application validation and only two site visits conducted this summer. The council recently introduced 31 new queries and revealed a last-minute objection from National Highways due to a missed consultation. As a result, the planning team now estimates an additional 16 weeks for review and potentially six more months to resolve objections.
Nick Ash, director of Sustain Wiltshire and Crapper and Sons Landfill Ltd, expressed frustration over the drawn-out process. “Throughout our public consultations, the Super-Midden received strong community support with no opposition. It represents a progressive solution capable of removing over 3,800 tonnes of CO2 annually while producing enough heat and energy to supply 80% of local fruit and vegetable needs,” he said.
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Ash added that many of the new questions had previously been addressed, and the objection from National Highways could have been avoided if proper procedures had been followed earlier by Wiltshire Council. This bureaucratic delay has compelled the group to boycott the council’s summit, where they had planned to participate in a panel on promoting low-waste and circular economy initiatives.
Highlighting the irony, Ash noted, “We cannot support an event that appears to hinder the very innovations it celebrates. Our withdrawal is a protest against outdated processes that stall vital environmental progress.”
Sustain Wiltshire is urging the council to expedite the application review, warning it may escalate the issue to the Planning Directorate and pursue legal action if the delays persist.
In response, Councillor Paul Sample JP, cabinet member for environment, climate and waste, expressed disappointment. “The summit is intended to celebrate environmental achievements and share best practices independent of planning matters. Wiltshire Council remains committed to working constructively with Sustain Wiltshire to resolve the outstanding issues,” he stated.