The CHPC have written a letter to Herts County Council expressing their concerns about this proposed development. A copy can be viewed by clicking here

Schools Consultation on Admissions 2013 / 14 :

Following the latest information to come out about possible changes to the admissions criteria, the Parish Council have written, strongly opposing one particular rule about suggestion priority for teachers children within a school. You can view their letter by clicking here

If you would like further information about any of these issues, please contact the Parish Office on 01727 825 314 or by email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

There is more information available about the recent issue of The New Barnfield Incinerator - click on the 'Read more' link below 'PARISH MATTERS'.

THE NEXT PARISH MEETING IS THE ANNUAL STATUTORY MEETING AND WILL TAKE PLACE ON :

Thursday 10th May 2012
at the Village Hall, High Street, Colney Heath at 7.45pm

*Please consult the parish office (01727 825 314) for confirmation of these dates and venues as they may be subject to change if any urgent Parish business so demands.

PARISH MATTERS - March 2012

The view from Highfield and Hill End . . .

It’s a bit late to wish you all a happy new year but let’s at least keep our fingers crossed for a more prosperous time ahead.

I have served on the Parish Council for nearly three years and am pleased to say that, especially since Kevin Barnes (Hill End Ward) and Russell Solts (Highfield Ward) also became Parish Councillors, the Highfield/Hill End wards are now represented in proportion to the number of households existing in these wards.  Until 2009, this area had no voice on the Council and consequently had been rather the poor relation in terms of spend of the precept, to which we all contribute via Council Tax.

One very positive result of this was the acquisition and later transformation of Gloucester Park, half of which has been converted into 15 allotments which since last spring have all been cultivated.  I am proud to say that I led this project from its inception until the final letting of the plots, which involved polling the neighbourhood about the preferred use of the space, drawing up the allotment agreements and marking out equal sized plots, which in such an unevenly shaped area was quite a challenge!  The allotments are now administered by a committee led by Jo Kay.  The plots are about half the normal size – 120m2 – which many people find easier to manage than the usual 250m2 and the rent is proportionately lower.  To go on the waiting list you should contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Another allotment development has been completed in Highfield Park, not far from the original plots and Earthworks.  Highfield Park Trust have installed a rabbit-proof fence around these new plots.  I understand these plots are all spoken for – to go on a waiting list, you should contact the Trust at www.highfieldparktrust.co.uk.

On a less cheerful note, it is with dismay that I have to report a complete stalemate over the installation of a pedestrian crossing on Highfield Lane to enable Highfield residents to cross this now very busy road, where speeding is rife, to the shops, surgery and the other side of the park.  When the developers first acquired the old Home Farm site for development (now Tillage Close) I personally (as the then Chair of Highfield Park Residents’ Association),  along with another member of the HPRA Committee, met with the developer’s representative and obtained a verbal agreement from him to ensure that some of the Section 106 money from this development would be put towards the installation of a pedestrian crossing.  (Section 106 relates to monies paid by developers to Local Planning Authorities in order to offset the costs of the external effects of development on the local area which the Local Authority would have to deal with).
 
 The crossing never materialised.  Moreover, local agencies responsible for such matters deny any knowledge of this agreement and to add insult to injury have spent precisely none of the £58,000 Section 106 money from this development on this neighbourhood.  Escalation of this matter to our MP has failed to progress the matter.

Meanwhile speeding on Highfield Lane and Highfield Park Drive continues to be a big problem.  The local police have handed out a few fines but there have been some serious accidents and  you really do take your life in your hands when crossing these roads at any time of the day.  The volume of traffic around here has increased incredibly since I first moved here in 1999 when Hill End Lane was little more than a country lane – as its name implies.  

If that wasn’t enough, when the former Cell Barnes and Hill End Hospitals were decommissioned in the 1990s and the land on which they stood was developed into what now comprises about 800 homes, Section 106 money of  £500 per house should have been forthcoming from the developers.   That’s about £400,000 by my reckoning.  In today’s terms this would probably be worth twice that. But no one can tell us what became of that money or, indeed, if it was ever obtained from the developers?  All that is certain is that it wasn’t spent anywhere near here.

Many of you will be aware of a planning application to develop over 60 houses on the site currently occupied by the old Barley Mow Pub and the stables attached.  The Parish Council meeting on February 8th was a lively one, attended by many residents in the local area concerned about the impact of so many new homes in the area and the lack of infrastructure to support it.  The Parish Council agreed to oppose the current application which would encroach on existing “green” areas but would in principle be in agreement to an amended application for fewer homes being built on the footprint of existing buildings (i.e. “brownfield” site).   Those attending the meeting appeared to be happy with this decision.

A victim of the economic downturn is our lovely local theatre company the Trestle Arts Base, located just off Princess Diana Drive.  Their Arts Council funding has been cut  and one result  is that the 2012 Larks in the Park is under threat unless we can muster enough volunteers to run the event on June 24th.  If you can spare your time, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   You will need to attend a short Health and Safety briefing before the event.

Highfield Park Residents’ Association held their eighth annual carol singing event on the green in Puddingstone Drive on December 18th.  Over 60 people attended plus several dogs.  Mulled wine (squash for the kids) lubricated the vocal chords, mince pies and chocolate cake provided the calories to keep us warm  and we raised £57 for Crisis at Christmas.  Come and join in next year – watch this space for details.

Just one other ‘thank you’ before I close. The Community Christmas Lunch was a huge success again this year, and all who attended had a great time. I would like to thank all the volunteers who made it happen, and especially Jean Horner, who having run this event since it was resurrected some 6 or 7 years ago, is handing over the reigns - thank you Jean for all your hard work.

The Parish Council meets every month on the first Thursday at 8pm, usually at the Colney Heath Village Hall but three times per year at Charles Morris Hall in Tyttenhanger in October, February and at the Annual Parish Meeting in April.  Anyone can attend the meeting and ask questions.

Chris Gowens
Vice-Chair and Councillor for Hill End Ward – Colney Heath Parish Council

THIS ARTICLE APPEARED IN THE CHRONICLE 147 – SPRING EDITION – PUBLISHED IN MARCH 2012

PLEASE FIND BELOW THE PARISH COUNCILS' SUBMISSION TO HERTFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL.

To download a copy of this letter - click here

Mr Brian Owen
Team Leader  Development Management
New Barnfield Planning Team
Spatial & Land Use Planning
Hertfordshire County Council
County Hall
Peggs Lane
Hertford SG13 8DQ

27th January 2011 - Also e-mailed Available on CHPC web site 

Colney Heath Parish Council’s formal response to the consultation re Planning Application 6/2570-11, New Barnfield Incinerator at Hatfield Hertfordshire- Energy From Waste EfW)

Dear Mr Owen,

As team leader on this HCC project, we request the letter is attached to the planning documents to be noted.

Colney Heath Parish Council resolved to object to the above application at their meeting on 12^th January 2012. The council believes there are key reasons for rejecting the EfW incinerator taking note of the groundswell of public opinion firmly against;-

A public meeting was held in Colney Heath on 10^th January attended by speakers from HCC-VEOLIA & E/Agency presenting the issues to some 183 public attending. This has informed the basis of our council decision TO OPPOSE THIS DEVELOPMENT

Key issues of objection;-.

1.     Concerns about pollution, including “Nano” Particles, remain issues where the public are totally unconvinced by assurances over the incinerator.

2.     Transport movements-congestion-busy routes-not confined to HCC waste

3.     Closeness to residential and educational properties- with a school closure

4.     Chimney and visual aspect from afar & comparative height of buildings.

5.     Size of plant-eyesore and blot on the landscape-plant safety not proven.

6.     Alternatives not considered before a premature signing of a contract (27/7/11) prior to adequate public consultation and involvement.

As a county-wide waste facility it makes no sense  to site it in or nearby residential properties. The proposed site is in the Green Belt and this is clearly inappropriate development and there will be a loss of amenity space for local residents. A further effect of this application is that we are losing a much valued library facility and possibly a school. There is also the potential loss of a National Cycle Route (12) impacting on green issues of transport, affordable transport to those using the facility. 

In our view any reasonable person looking at a map of Hertfordshire would conclude the decision to site this incinerator in New Barnfield is completely illogical. It has been argued by the applicants that the 458 lorry movements per day would not represent a significant increase in traffic but we strongly disagree. The increased traffic flow caused by the heavy refuse or bulk carrier lorries travelling to and from the incinerator compound will add to the already congested roads. It will also add noise pollution and the fuel combustion will cause higher levels of carbon emissions, a further source of harmful gases and particulates in surrounding areas. The trunk roads, for example the A414, A1M, M25 and the A10 are already virtually gridlocked in the rush hours and peak times.Negating the secondary transit sites proposed.

The Parish Council along with local residents have significant concerns about the potential health impact of the EfW plant. An incinerator could produce the equivalent of 385 million miles of waste truck movements every year leading to increased diesel pollution. This is not exactly a “Green Plan” for reducing greenhouse gasses in the UK, including the Co2 national target by 2020. 

Has it been proven that the filters on the incinerator will remove fine (<PM2.5) or Nano particles from stack emissions? It is our concern the potential health effects of this fraction may currently be grossly underestimated and not sufficiently regulated at this time. We appreciate that strict UKAS standards have to be met with regard to performance of the testing equipment, but in Europe the monitoring is conducted totally independently from the principle interest organisation. If that system was applied here it would provide additional assurance that the monitoring would be rigorous without potential conflict of interest.

On a precautionary principle alone this facility should be located away from large populated areas because it could adversely affect all within 15km, especially given the stack emissions that include-SOx-HCl-HF-NOX- and particulates. 

If Hertfordshire could achieve an increase of its recycling rate to a figure of 80% plus, then the business case for the incinerator is completely flawed. Therefore if the rate of recycling goes up. as expected because of a national target by 2020, then the amount of waste going to land fill would plummet. This potential is being disregarded.

We feel that the County Council has not adequately researched or proven any other methods of waste disposal, Bio Mass etc. Local residents are not convinced that alternative systems have been thoroughly researched and quantified and that there are strong reasons for them being discounted in favour of Incineration. (EfW)

We urge that this application is withdrawn and more research is done on the many alternative waste methods and options open to local authorities. Recycling targets need to be raised and alternative sites identified away from residential properties. To suggest that New Barnfield was chosen because it was or is HCC owned land is not satisfactory. Also doubt over covenants for the use of this land being queried in the public comments made at our open meeting on 10^th January 2012.

Further we are unclear if the public had adequate access to the HCC consultation document commissioned to Barton Willmore LLp on the alternative sites. Appropriate full consultation should ocurr without delay and renewed effort expended to identify a more appropriate location/s if EfW really is the only viable option.

We further suggest the partnership contract signing in July 2011 by HCC did not involve adequate public consultation and leaves HCC with a severe financial penalty if it is cancelled, thereby possibly influencing their overall judgement on this matter.

We also suggest this agreement was not generally known or explained until recent public meetings addressing this application that has generated huge local concern.

Yours sincerely

John Dean
Clerk to the Council

Colney Heath Parish Council

c/c

Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP Communities Secretary                                   

Anne Main MP                                                                        National Society for Clean Air & Env Protection NSCA

Rt Hon Grant Shapps                                                             Andrew Milsted-Veolia Plc

St Albans District Council                                                       Cllr Stuart Pile

Hatfield & Welwyn Borough Council                                      Highways Agency                 

Hatfield Town Council                                                            Southfields School Governors

London Colney PC                                                                 Friends of the Earth

North Mymms PC                                                                   County/Dist Cllr C Brazier

Ridge PC                                                                                Dist Cllr J Day

Shenley PC                                                                            Prospective MP Sandy Walkington

Sandridge PC                                                                        HIA Hatfield Against Incenerator

Wheathampsted PC-Dist Cllr T Swendell                              Barton Willmore LLp

St Stephens PC                                                                     Veolia Environmental Services Ltd

Harpenden TC

Paul Zukowskj

Content 3 pages

Suggested reference;- 

Minutes of meeting Proposed Recycling and Energy Recovery Facility-New Barnffield-Community Engagement Group-26^th October 2011-Veolia Environmental Services.

NSCA-Nat Soc for Clean Air and Env Protection-*Comparison of Emissions from Waste Management Options

Hertfordshire Waste Core Strategy and Development Management Policies Document

www.hertsdirect.org/newbarfieldplanning

Hatfield Against Inceneration-http://hatfieldanti-inceneration.co.uk  website & blog

CHPC Web Site has details of presentations from 10^th January 2012 Public Meeting- www.colneyheath.org.uk

There are other data references in this *paper regarding the EfW plants in the UK already operating or planned 

. . . held on Tuesday 10th January, regarding the Proposed Recycling and Energy from
Waste Facility - the New Barnfield Incinerator, the speakers on the night have made
their presentations available to the public to view - thanks to them all for their
help with this.

There were a number of speakers on the night and there are three presentations
available to download.

1. ANDREW MILSTED - Veolia E.S.(UK) Ltd
- click here to download the presentation

2. RICHARD BROWN - Hertfordshire County Council
- click here to download the presentation

3. BEN FREEMAN - Environment Agency
- click here to download the presentation

If you wish to comment on the proposal you can do so Online, By Letter,
or Via the Parish Office.

The Herts County Council page which has ALL the details is
http://www.hertsdirect.org/services/envplan/plan/planningapps/nbplanapp/

There is more information available on the Hatfield Against Incineration site
- http://www.hatfield-anti-incineration.co.uk/

To download an objections response form click here

PLEASE NOTE THAT RESPONSES MUST BE WITH COUNTY HALL BY TUESDAY 31st JANUARY

If you have any queries, please contact the Parish Office - 01727 825 314
or by email - This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Just What Is The Answer? . . .

As I write this shortly after Bonfire Night, the clocks have gone back; it is dark as I leave the office after work and already the Christmas catalogues are dropping through the door. Fortunately, it has been unseasonably warm, so the central heating has only been needed intermittently – a real bonus in these times of rapidly rising energy prices.

And energy generation from waste is one of the issues that have been concerning your Parish Council over recent months, as the national drive to find alternative sources of energy starts to have a local impact.

It is clear that tighter environmental standards and a lack of suitable landfill sites mean that we can no longer continue to just bury our rubbish – local authorities are being charged a landfill tax for rubbish disposed of in this way and so are under pressure to find alternative methods of disposal to ensure they get the best value for their ratepayers.

At the same time, the UK is committed to increasing the proportion of energy it generates from renewable and non-fossil fuel sources – it has a target of 20% “green” energy by 2020. So you can understand why projects that generate power from waste are attractive to local authorities, since they can both help reduce the volume of expensive waste going to landfill, while at the same time helping to increase the amount of power generated from renewable sources.

The problem is that in future these types of facility are likely to be smaller and more local than the massive power stations and landfill sites that we have been used to in the past, and so are going to affect more people. Your Parish Council is aware of proposals for two such projects that could have an impact on local residents – an incinerator generating electricity from rubbish at New Barnfield, between Hatfield and Welham Green, and an anaerobic digestion plant at Coursers Road.

While the incinerator is not in Colney Heath Parish, the scale of the facility is likely to have an impact on local traffic movements. No formal planning application has yet been made, but the project is supported by Hertfordshire County Council, which has contracted Veolia Environmental Services to build and operate the plant, and so the application is likely to be viewed favourably.

The proposals currently being consulted on envisage a facility that can deal with up to 380,000 tonnes of “black bin” rubbish per year (over 1,000 tonnes a day) which Veolia says will require 180 lorry movements daily, or 15 per hour assuming 12 hour days.

The raw waste from kerbside collections would be sorted at the incinerator site, with the recyclable and compostable elements removed (presumably meaning more vehicle movements). This would leave around 7% “residual waste” – material with no other value that would otherwise be sent to landfill – which would be incinerated at the site. After burning, there would be two grades of ash – an inert “bottom ash” that can be used in the construction industry, plus a highly toxic “fly ash” that is placed in sealed bags and buried in deep pits in Cheshire. Veolia claims that harmful exhaust gases will be “scrubbed” in a three stage process as they progress through the 75 metre high chimney to satisfy the Health Protection Agency’s standards. As the exhaust leaves the burners, they will drive an electricity generator, making enough power to service 5,000 houses, says Veolia, although it is not clear whether this will benefit local residents. The whole site is under cover, and its operation would be monitored by the Environment Agency.

More local is the project to build an anaerobic digestion (AD) plant at Coursers Farm in Colney Heath. This process uses a sealed fermentation vessel where microbes ferment organic waste materials – in this case food waste – to produce methane, which can either be used directly as a gas energy source or to generate electricity, and a “digestate” by-product for use as an organic fertiliser for farmers to spread on their land. The presentation to the Parish Council envisaged an intake of up to 30,000 tonnes per year. Again, no formal planning application has yet been made in this case, but it is clear that servicing the intake and removing waste products would require a significant increase in vehicle movements to deliver material to the site and remove the residue.

These are tricky issues. On the one hand, everyone wants their rubbish to simply disappear each week, while modern life without electricity at the flick of a switch is almost unthinkable. And yet we have to find alternatives to landfill, while concern over energy security means that local electricity generation must increasingly help to supply the power we all take for granted, whether it is solar panels on our houses or larger agricultural schemes on our farms. (In Germany there are already over 6,000 on-farm AD plants). But at the same time, people are understandably concerned about their quality of life, especially when it comes to a potential increase in lorry traffic and air pollution.

The decisions on these projects, if and when the applications are submitted, will be taken at district or county level, although the Parish Council will be making its view known in the planning consultation, so please let your councillors know your opinions on these matters.

Veolia’s proposals can be viewed via the www.veoliaenvironmentalservices.co.uk/Documents/Publications/Hertfordshire/Publications
/Veolia_CommunityUpdate2_ElectronicBookletVersion.pdf webpage, while the Hatfield against Incineration website – http://www.hatfield-anti-incineration.co.uk/ – offers an alternative view.

The Chronicle’s editor, Dave Rodway successfully completed his ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro in late October – all 5,895m of it – and is back to tell the story. It is not too late to support his magnificent effort on behalf of the Parkinson’s UK charity – the www.justgiving.com/drodway webpage is still open for donations.

And finally, on behalf of the Parish Council, and the Parish Office, can I wish everybody a very happy and peaceful Christmas and all the best for 2012.  

Jamie Day
Colney Heath Parish Council

THIS ARTICLE APPEARED IN THE CHRONICLE 146 – WINTER EDITION – PUBLISHED IN DECEMBER 2011

News from CHPC - Freedom of Information

Below you will find a link to a PDF file which details where information can be found / obtained relating to all aspects of the Parish Council's operations.

Click on this link to download the detailed list