BRADFORD Council has been given a chance to "reconsider" its controversial decision to approve plans for a waste to energy incinerator in Keighley.

Campaigners who might be calling for a Judicial Review of the decision to pass the application for the plant at Marley wrote to the council's chief executive last Monday. (May 8)

A spokesman for Aire Valley Against Incineration (AVAI) explained: "A ‘Letter before Claim’ (LBC), drafted by a leading environmental barrister, was sent on behalf of AVAI to Bradford Council.

"The purpose of an LBC is to offer the council a chance to reconsider its decision to approve the incinerator, in the light of legal issues raised in the letter, hopefully thereby avoiding costly court proceedings for both AVAI and the council.

"The court encourages the complainant – AVAI – to send this LBC prior to making application for Judicial Review.

"But sending the letter does not commit the complainant to making an application.

"The letter requests a response from the council within seven days of receipt.

"We may receive a response to the legal arguments raised, or a response claiming that these arguments cannot be answered in that time, or we may receive no response at all.

"The deadline for issuing actual proceedings for a Judicial Review is May 22."

A spokesman for Bradford Council has confirmed: “We have received a letter from the Aire Valley Against Incineration group and a response is being considered.”

AVAI is also intending to stage a demonstration against the proposed incinerator next to the perimeter of the site where it is intended to build it.

The protest at Marley will take place this Sunday (May 21) from 10.45am to 1pm.

The latest application for the waste to energy incinerator was passed by Bradford Council's Regulatory and Appeals Committee in February.

Endless Energy, the company behind the proposals, has defended its plans.

A spokesman for the firm said: “While we recognise people’s concerns, we continue to reassure people that we’re working with experienced preferred contractors who have an impressive track record in delivering energy recovery facilities.

"Operating within tight environmental regulations, they’ve safely delivered 15 waste and energy facilities in the UK – including in Leeds, Shropshire and Hull, with more contracts recently won.

“Our approach to planning and permitting for the site has been detailed and robust. The UK has some of the strictest air quality legislation and our facility will be fitted with sophisticated monitoring systems that will safeguard the surrounding area.

“We’ll keep the community, including councillors and MPs, updated as we progress towards construction at the former industrial site.

"We reiterate that we’re committed to being a good neighbour and developing this site responsibly to the highest industry standard.

"The facility will create new jobs, we’ll introduce an apprenticeship programme to train local people and will advertise the these positions locally.

“We’ll shortly launch a website, where people will be able to get factual information about the Energy Recovery Facility, how it will operate and, importantly, how it will be regulated under permit.

"We hope this will go some way to addressing the points clearly made by those with an interest in the site and that we can work with them to deliver local benefits and a new energy source for the region.”