The decision to build an incineration plant on the site of the old Keighley gas works has created a great deal of controversy and protests from many quarters – Incinerator fight dealt major blow (Keighley News, April 6).
Apparently, Bradford Council has approved the plans. The question is, how many of those councillors who voted for it actually live in or near the site and will be affected by it?
The residents of Keighley have the right to know which way their district councillors on Bradford Council voted on the matter and will remember that when it comes to the next council elections.
It is the job and obligation of an MP to support and protect the wishes and interests of his constituents in this area. If he supports the plans to build it – quite literally – under their noses, against their wishes, his excuse might be it will bring work to the area. But for whom? How many of those jobs will go to local people, especially in management? Probably many of those jobs will be for outsiders who do not live locally and where they and their families do not have to live with the effects of the plant every day of their lives.
The managers especially might already live or choose to live in Skipton, Bradford or even further afield. They, in particular, should be forced to live on site or within one mile of the plant.
Will the council reduce Council Tax for those people who live in the affected areas? Will our MP compensate those residents whose properties are devalued by the presence of the plant and its effects? Probably quite a lot in respect of Riddlesden, Morton, Thwaites Brow, Long Lee and Ilkley etc.
Our MP should remember many of the residents who will be most affected, with or without prevailing winds, who live in those areas, on the whole are traditionally Tory voters. How big is his majority? Is it greater or less than the number of people who will be affected? They will certainly remember his position when it comes to the next election.
It might be apposite for him to reassess his loyalties and obligations, or perhaps he should enquiry at the Job Centre now for his next job. He might even get one at the plant, if it is built.
STEPHEN BENNETT Grafton Road, Keighley
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