News from Castle Point Labour

Labour’s Castle Point candidate questions new power station pollution

Castle Point Labour Party is concerned about the proposed development of a 900 megawatt natural gas-fired power station in Coryton.

This development is proposed by InterGen, the owner of the existing Coryton Energy Power Station located on The Manorway.

InterGen is planning to develop the 900 megawatt natural gas-fired power station, called the Gateway Energy Centre, within the London Gateway site which is on previously developed land on the north bank of the River Thames. The power station will be situated approximately 4 kilometres to the south east of Corringham, and approximately 1 kilometre west of the existing 800MW Coryton plant.

This power station is sited on Thurrock’s eastern geographical boundary. This boundary is also Castle Point’s western boundary.

Throughout the year the prevailing winds are westerlies 70% of the time – this means that any airborne pollution will, for that 70% of any normal year, be carried into Castle Point.

Is this another example of Thurrock sighting an airborne pollution hazard to their eastern geographical boundary?

Thurrock will benefit from the development; Castle Point could get the pollution.

This proposal follows the crematorium as an airborne pollution source and the container port for unwanted traffic.

The Castle Point Labour Party wants assurances that Castle Point Borough Council had input to the planning procedure for this power station.

Julian Ware-Lane, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Castle Point, said: “I am aware that in the previous decade we had a refinery closed in this area but that is no reason to accept new unwanted sources of pollution without putting up some comment.”

“This is not NIMBYism, just a hope that the council stood up for its residents and ensured that Castle Point wasn’t being worsened by this proposal. Unfortunately it would seem that the council have form when it comes to not voicing the concerns of residents in Benfleet and Canvey.”

Other news from Castle Point Labour

• Labour's Castle Point candidate joins campaign to support teachers - 28 April 2010
• Labour's Castle Point candidate backs the World Cup 2018 bid - 21 April 2010
• Castle Point Labour candidate will speak up for local pubs - 20 April 2010