At the start of lockdown, I contacted Broad Energy, the Buttington Incinerator developer, to ask for an assurance from them that they wouldn't start their planning consultation during the COVID-19 pandemic whilst we are unable to have public face to face meetings/gatherings. Such assurance was not provided.
Broad Energy subsequently told me that their plan is to hold a 'virtual consultation'. I asked them to re-consider this and explained that this would make it difficult for residents who may not have internet access or who may not be comfortable speaking on the phone. Also, for such a highly technical development, it is much easier to engage face-to-face than remotely. Unfortunately, Broad Energy did announce that they still plan to have a 'virtual' consultation. This is particularly disappointing given that this development has been in the pipeline for so many years now. Waiting until a consultation can be held at a time when public meetings are safe, does not seem unreasonable to me. It is also disappointing because myself and the Community Council had said we would like to hold a public meeting during this consultation period. I was also under the impression that Broad Energy had hoped to hold a public meeting too.
I have been in discussion with my political colleagues regarding the fact that Welsh Government are allowing 'virtual consultations' for highly technical and emotive planning matters such as this. A number of questions have been submitted to the Minister on my behalf about this. Also, because of the announcement by Broad Energy, I submitted a petition to Welsh Government which called for consultations such as these to be delayed until face-to-face meetings can be held again. I am pleased that this petition gained sufficient signatures to be considered by the Welsh Parliament Petition’s Committee. The Committee considered the petition in July and appreciated the concerns. They agreed to write to the relevant Welsh Government Minister regarding the matter and at the time of writing this, I am awaiting for a further update.
The Petition Committee's Comments can be heard here:
https://www.senedd.tv/Meeting/Archive/58a4509d-18d9-4180-bd61-a1b94a9663bb?autostart=True
