Objections to Veolia’s application to build a waste incinerator off the A31 in Alton’s rural Wey Valley have been pouring in from all quarters in the final week of the second public consultation which ends on Monday (February 15).

Last week, East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds – alongside a number of influential East Hampshire councillors – reiterated his strong objections to Veolia’s plans. And this week he is joined again by his South West Surrey counterpart, MP Jeremy Hunt.

Mr Hunt said after responding to Hampshire County Council’s detailed ‘Regulation 15’ consultation: “I was extremely disappointed that the developer behind the proposed incinerator just outside Farnham is having a further attempt to gain planning permission.

“The semi-rural location in Froyle is inappropriate and out of context with the surroundings. The appearance and scale of the proposed incinerator is not fitting for the Wey Valley and will blight this beautiful area.

“Perhaps of more concern is the fact Veolia has refused to take any responsibility for ensuring the proposed incinerator does not burn recyclable waste. Burning waste from across the south of England will be a major setback to local climate pledges and could have implications on Farnham’s already-high air pollution levels.

“I wholeheartedly support my neighbouring parliamentary colleague Damian Hinds MP who I know is also very much against the proposal.”

Alton Town Council also signed off its formal response to the second consultation at its meeting last Wednesday, reiterating many of its objections to the first consultation.

This described Veolia’s proposals as “unacceptable over-development” giving “insufficient regard...to the amenities and character of the area and its close proximity to the South Downs National Park”.

And additional comments by the town council included a demand for “greater clarity... on the catchment area of the waste being delivered to site”.

It also stated the incinerator “is at odds with the published targets of Hampshire to meet its obligation of recycling 65 per cent of the county’s waste”.

And “given the incinerator’s active hours of use, the council is concerned at the risk of pollution and impact on the air quality”.

Ben Stanberry, spokesman for action group No Wey Incinerator, added: “We are determined to oppose this development, which would make Hampshire the waste capital of the south of England, burning waste from other counties.

“Nothing Veolia has said in response to Hampshire County Council’s searching questions in their three Regulation 25 notices has made the slightest bit of difference.

“We and our consultants have found no meaningful new information in the company’s responses and conclude this is still an inappropriate development for this particular location.”

And looking ahead to the end of the second consultation period on Monday, Mr Stanberry added: “We hope many more members of the public will add their objections to those of local councillors, MPs and bodies such as the Council for the Protection of Rural England, who are all voicing strong opposition to this inappropriate development.”

Comments can be made by visiting the planning section of the county council’s website (hants.gov.uk) and locating the application under reference number 33619/007.