Anger as Hertfordshire County Council turns to Hatfield incinerator firm Veolia for waste solution

Paul Zukowskyj (Image: Archant)

The authority’s cabinet agreed last week to again go to the firm to work on another way to shift Hertfordshire’s waste.

They will have six months to work out an alternative to the all-but-sunk ‘energy-from-waste’ plant scheme.

The revelation came as Veolia is in the midst of a legal challenge to Secretary of State Eric Pickles’ decision to halt the despised plan for New Barnfield. It was greeted with outrage from across the political spectrum.

Welwyn Hatfield MP Grant Shapps slammed the council for continuing to work with Veolia while the firm was “attacking our community in court right now”.

MP Grant Shapps (Image: Archant)

He added: “Given that Veolia is still trying to force the New Barnfield incinerator on Welwyn Hatfield, I do not think it’s appropriate to be working with them at all at this time.

“The county council has already wisely refused to back Veolia’s High Court challenge over the Government’s decision not to allow planning permission.”

He continued: “For the county to ask Veolia to advise on what to do with our waste is rather like inviting burglars to advise on home security.

“Frankly, I think it’s time to send Veolia packing for good.”

Lib Dem councillor Paul Zukowskyj said: “HCC should have taken this opportunity to get out of the Veolia contract.”

He added: “The council should have cut their losses and walked away now, they will likely have to do so in six months anyway, so all we get is further uncertainty and confusion.”

But Cllr Terry Douris, the county’s waste chief, said: “Veolia will be asked to prepare an alternative option for the long-term treatment of Hertfordshire’s residual waste.”

He added: “We’ll then carefully consider their proposal before deciding whether to continue with Veolia or request termination of the contract.”