Residents Protest Proposed Waste Incinerator Near Primary School

In a victory for local residents, the Staffordshire County Council has voted to reject plans for a clinical waste incinerator near a primary school in Hixon. The proposed development at the industrial estate had faced strong opposition from the community, who argued the facility could pose serious health risks to the 230 children attending the nearby St Peter's Primary School.

Ahead of the council's decision, a group of residents, accompanied by MP Sir Gavin Williamson, demonstrated outside the County Buildings, holding placards with slogans like "health before wealth" and "no Hixon incinerator". Councilors were told the incinerator would process up to 3,504 tonnes of waste per year, including syringes, dressings, medicines, and anatomical waste.

Resident Amelia Garner, a mother of a child at the school, argued the playing field was only about 80 meters from the proposed site, which she described as "not a safe distance". She warned that even small increases in pollutants could have "lifelong consequences" for the many children already living with asthma or other respiratory conditions.

Despite the applicant, In Waste, claiming the development would create 20 local jobs and that emissions would remain within "acceptable limits", the council ultimately voted to reject the planning application. However, the final decision will now be made by the government's planning inspectorate, as the applicant has already lodged an appeal.