By Virginia Rowe

Be afraid! Be very afraid! A new dangerous neighbour has set its sights on West London. 

Yes people, disturbing plans are afoot to build a huge anaerobic digestion system and gas-burning pyrolysis plant (incinerator) at Willesden Junction, with devastating effects for family-friendly neighbourhoods for miles around. So what would we be looking forward to if Ealing planning department give this the green light? (And folks, they really are leaning towards giving this the green light…)

Four 25metre chimneys chugging out burnt toxic fumes 24/7 + in excess of 100 heavy duty trucks rumbling in and out of the area every day and night, polluting the lives of not only the poor residents that live right on the doorstep of the proposed site, but also the whole area around Kensal Rise, Queens Park, North Kensington, Willesden Green, Harlesden, Ealing, Acton….. all family-friendly neighbourhoods.

Incinerator chimneys emit a host of health-risk particulates including dioxins and heavy metals, associated with cancer, hormonal issues, reduced immune system capacity, effects on foetal development, lung and kidney disease and nervous system problems. These emissions travel for miles!

Despite mass public appeal, this planning application, submitted by a property company located in an offshore tax-haven, is actually being favoured by Ealing Council who will be making their decision on whether to go ahead with it on 19th December.

Few local residents or businesses were informed or consulted on this toxic plan, and the wording in the proposal is designed to deliberately mislead those who read it, using smoke and mirrors and a whole array of PR new speak.  At no point does the plan use the word 'incinerator' even though the 'pyrolysis' part of the plant, which will be burning gases, is actually classed as an incinerator by the European Union Waste Directive.  And Ealing Council conveniently omits any mention of the controversial pyrolysis part of the application in its online synopsis.

This plan would ruin our neighbourhoods and put our collective health at risk. A highly populated residential area is no place for this sort of volatile, high pressure waste processing plant.  It is dangerous, unhealthy and inhumane. And taking into account the overwhelming public response against it - undemocratic.

Say NO to our West London neighbourhood being turned into a toxic waste dump by a tax-haven based company that cares nothing for our area.

Contact your local MP, councillors and most importantly vote NO to the NW10 incinerator on the link below. Remember to support your objection with reasons as to why you are against it i.e. pollution / truck traffic / risk of explosion / non-compliancy with Boris' Municipal Waste Strategy which is committed to reducing air pollution: http://www.pam.ealing.gov.uk/portal/servlets/PlanningComments?REFNO=PP/2012/3267

Follow the campaign on Twitter:  @NOincineratorNO

Virginia is a creative director living and working in Kensal Rise. Follow her campaign against the proposed west London waste incinerator on twitter @NOincineratorNO 

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