Raynes Park - Rainbow eco-park development

How can people get the full facts if the developers won't come and speak to people and address their concerns. At the moment people are against the plans because they don't know anything about it. The fact that the developers are refusing to speak to them doesn't help. It would also be good to get some ideas from independent environmental groups - a public meeting(s) is the best way for this information to be shared. It needs to be properly chaired, to make sure it's not just those with closed minds shouting.

So far, the developers have delivered leaflets and put on an exhibition at the local library attended by directors of the company. They have a website showing what is proposed and explaining the process (rainbowecopark.com). They have published a telephone number and e-mail address and have encouraged people to contact them with any questions They have spoken to local environmental groups and plan further public exhibitions and meetings - this Civic Forum was suggested. And all this is before they even start the consultations required by the planning process! Yes, this is something new, so it takes some explaining, although it would help if those who are opposed did not muddy the waters by calling it a 'dump' - especially since all the political parties have said they are in favour of exactly this sort of local power generation.

Around 160 people attended the exhibitions, and around 50-60 of those left comments. At a public meeting last weekend, it became clear that there was some confusion caused by answers the developers had given when people have emailed or phoned - there's a feeling that different people are getting different answers. If this kind of development is going to take off across London, then the developers need to deal with residents in an open and transparent way, a way that gets them on side - and part of that is reassuring them and addressing their concerns. And that does mean facing down those who label the development a "dump". The developers can't afford to get it wrong.

The developers still refuse to meet with people about this development, and I am very concerned by this and the fact that they are trying to get the development in before the South London Waste Plan comes into effect. Furthermore, I have serious concerns about traffic and access to this site. Especially considering the effect it will have on local air quality.

I agree with John White. Affordable oil and gas will not last forever and even if we go down the nulcear power route there is not enough time at this stage to build and bring on-line the plants needed. The UK is heading for a major energy crisis and it’s predicted that if we don’t act now we will be having blackouts by 2016. We must start to think laterally and consider alternative ways of producing our energy. This kind of plant kills two birds with one stone: it helps us dispose of waste which would otherwise go to landfill (another major headache as we are running out of sites and having to ship our waste to developing counties), as well as giving us a locally produced energy supply. I think we are going to have to accept that things have to change, and quickly.