INCINERATOR: Cory’s last stand (at this Waitrose)
THE consortium behind the incinerator was asked to leave a supermarket after handing out “propaganda”.
Waitrose say they asked Cory Wheelabrator representatives to leave their Swaffham store on Friday after it became clear that their intention was not to hold an impartial survey.
But Cory say they had permission to set up an information desk but chose to leave after a complaint.
West Norfolk councillor Jim Moriarty made the complaint as only one side was put across in Cory’s leaflets, which he has dubbed as “propaganda”. Cory was collecting signatures.
The borough council have voted to launch a challenge against environment secretary Caroline Spelman’s decision to award £169 million for the Saddlebow project.
Waitrose branch manager Stephen Graham said: “The group’s intentions were not made clear to a member of our staff who believed it would be an impartial survey. Once these became apparent we asked them to leave the store.
“On such an important issue we believe it’s imperative that we as a community encourage an honest and open debate and we have invited KLWIN to speak to our shoppers as well.”
Mr Moriarty handed out material and said Cory left within 20 minutes.
He said: “I asked the team if it was appropriate to have just one side of the argument being given to shoppers and their response was that the time for debate was over.
“When I pointed out that there had in fact been no debate at county hall and that debate at the borough council had resulted in it probably seeking a judicial review, I was astonished when they said the local council should ‘stop wasting tax payers money’.”
And he added: “If you see the Cory team call the Farmers’ Campaign on 01553 840640, so that both sides can be heard.”
Paul Green, on behalf of the consortium, has denied the judicial review comments and said many shoppers were supportive.
He said: “Following two well attended business open day events at the EcoTech centre in Swaffham, members of the Cory Wheelabrator team set up an information desk at the nearby Waitrose supermarket, the event was arranged in advance with the management’s kind permission. This is a continuation of our commitment to keeping residents and business leaders updated on our proposals and answer any questions they may have.
“After four hours, we were informed that an individual had complained about our presence and we took the decision to leave early, as it was never our intention to place the store’s management team in a difficult position.”
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Weather for King's Lynn
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: East
