The letter asks the Port to abandon “these harmful proposals” for “an outdated form of technology”. They call for a “nationwide moratorium”, banning any new waste incinerators. They also ask for a meeting about the issue with Port officials.

The letter continues: “It has become clear that there is no business case, no community case, and no environmental case for a waste incinerator on Portland.” It makes clear that the signatories will continue to oppose these kinds of proposals “at every turn”. stressing that if the port pursues “cleaner energy power’ then the port will have their “enthusiastic support”.

It adds: “We want to work constructively alongside Portland Port to attract new green investment and well-paid green jobs to Weymouth and Portland.”

Clare Sutton (Rodwell & Wyke) told the Dorset Echo there’s “anger” towards Portland Port for ‘even considering bringing this monstrosity here” and said it should “pull the plug” on the plan.

“If it goes ahead, the impact on our local communities, our economy and on the very air we breathe would be appalling,” she added.

Her Green ward councillor colleague Claudia Webb commented: “Weymouth and Portland deserve a clean, green future—not an incinerator that threatens our health, environment, and tourism. We stand with the community in opposing this harmful project.

“Together, we can protect our beautiful coastline and embrace sustainable solutions.”

The post Cross-party group including Green councillors writes to Portland Port about incinerator appeared first on Dorset Green Party.

Clare Sutton told the crowd: “Incredible to see so many people here today. If this really does go ahead, we know what impacts we’re looking at on our local communities – not least in my ward, Rodwell & Wyke.

“The Impact on our local economy and on the very air we breathe. No wonder we’re angry. We’re angry that Portland Port would even consider bringing this monstrosity to our community. We’re angry that Power Fuel, with their no doubt astronomical legal bill, have so far won the day. And I am angry that a government ostensibly committed to tackling climate change removed the moratorium on building new incinerators within weeks of entering office, and then gave this one the green light.

“Incinerating household waste is now the dirtiest way the UK generates power, producing the same amount of greenhouse gases per unit of energy as coal, which the UK abandoned last month. There are many ills in our world, but climate change is the one which affects every single one of us. Those living in Valencia or Athens or Ethiopia know first hand what’s coming our way. And if you’re my age, you know it’s your children and your grandchildren that are going to bear the brunt of this.

“Locally we have fought so hard. Many of us spoke at the Dorset Council planning hearing, and at the appeal. Hundreds of us have made multiple submissions, written to MPs, or donated money to the extraordinary Stop Portland Waste Incinerator campaign.

“And thousands of us have signed petitions or shared posts on social media. But the truth is, there aren’t many tools left in the box. We all hope the new incinerator legal challenge succeeds, and that the Environment Agency doesn’t grant a permit. And we must – we must – petition the new government to immediately introduce a moratorium on granting new licenses and allowing those in place to proceed – before it is too late. Too late for us. Too late for Corby. Too late for Wisbech. Too late for towns up and down the UK.

“The positive note. Hard to come by, aren’t they? What we do have is a united front. We’re united in saying no to the incinerator – and we’ll keep on saying no as long as there remains any hope that we can win. Thank you.”

Jon Orrell followed on: “Thank you for that welcome. It’s great to see so many people here today, to show the strength of feeling from our towns. We’re meant to live in a democracy, but does this feel like a democracy? No! I went with my fellow councillors, and also the doctors of Weymouth, to the planning enquiry and to the appeal. And we stood united to say no to this for the sake of our patients, for the sake of our constituents. This is an absolute disaster and it should not happen.

“So, like Clare, I’ll do some positives, then I’m going to do some negatives. There are things to which we can say yes. To clean safe seas, we say yes. To clean air to breathe, we say yes. To our children’s future, we say yes.

“And there are things to which we have to say no. The doctors of the town, we say no. The councils of these towns, we say no. The people of these towns, we say no. For private profit and filth, we say no.

“To nature, burned for wealth, we say no. All together: we say no. We say no. We say no.”

The post Cllrs Clare Sutton and Jon Orrell address hundreds at Stop Portland Waste Incinerator protest appeared first on Dorset Green Party.

This initiative has been strongly supported by Green Councillor Clare Sutton (Rodwell & Wyke), to make it safer for schoolchildren, elderly residents of Anning House and those using the doctor’s surgery.

Local resident and Vicar of Holy Trinity, Juliet Stephenson, said: “I am delighted with this. As our children learn about road safety, it’s crucial that road users are mindful of buggies. bikes and scooters, and little ones are holding hands as they cross the road. I’m always grateful to see courteous driving. Everyone is benefitting.”

The post 20mph zone introduced in Cross Road, Weymouth, after strong support from Cllr Clare Sutton appeared first on Dorset Green Party.

Councillor Clare Sutton has made a further submission to the Environment Agency. and is liaising with Dorset Council, the new South Dorset MP, and other parties about possible next steps, which may include High Court review.

Clare said: “Our Green Party Councillors are committed to fighting this decision at every level and will continue to press for more environmentally responsible policies that protect our community, air quality, and the natural beauty of Portland and the wider Weymouth area.”

Meanwhile Dorset Green Party’s new Chair Val Graves has asked Green MPs to press for no new incinerator permits and an immediate moratorium on environmental permits for approved but unbuilt incinerators – including Portland’s.

For the most up-to-date information, go to the Stop Portland Waste Incinerator’s Facebook page.

The post Clare Sutton and Dorset Greens continue to fight against Portland incinerator after Government green light appeared first on Dorset Green Party.

“We both swim near overflow pipes, and were keen to learn all we could.

“You can track discharges online at wessexwater.co.uk/coast-and-rivers-watch-map.”

The post Cllrs Clare Sutton and Helen Toft visit Wyke Water Treatment Plant appeared first on Dorset Green Party.

Clare Sutton commented: “Other than local issues, my main area of focus as a Dorset Councillor has always been children and young people, so I feel honoured to have been appointed Cabinet Member for Children’s Services.

“Ensuring the best chance in life for those who experience the greatest challenges, such as being in care or having special educational needs, is a massive task, particularly because given year-on-year funding cuts. However Dorset is doing better than most local authorities, mainly because we’re not just talking about early intervention but actually doing it. Examples include getting in there early where there are parental issues with mental health, domestic abuse or substance misuse to try to prevent family breakdown, and working with girls and young women at risk of domestic abuse.

“I know there are children, parents and carers locally experiencing difficult times. Please get in touch and I will help in any way I can.”

The post Green Councillor Clare Sutton appointed Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education & Skills appeared first on Dorset Green Party.

Much of the Underbarn was cut through after the initial reopening agreement. Unfortunately progress then stalled for various reasons.

However, landowners were informed last month that works would recommence and this has now started. Once it has been cut through fully, there will be a 21 day statutory consultation period. Following that, the plan is to install handrails and sleepers where needed but keep additions to a minimum to maintain the naturalness of the area.

Clare Sutton, who remembers walking the path as a child, and later scrambling along it with her children. said: “Dorset Council’s – and previously Dorset County Council’s – coastal engineers have been monitoring this stretch since 2008. They have concluded that there’s been no significant movement in the last ten years, and removing some further vegetation to reinstate the path will not have a detrimental effect on the coastal slope or increase the risk of landslips.

“I’m sorry this is taking so long but it’s been more complicated than we’d envisaged. Massive thanks to Dorset Council’s Greenspace Team and to the Trustees of Friends of Castle Cove for all their help, and to Underbarn Walk fans for your patience.”

For up to date information, please contact Clare or Chair of Friends of Castle Cove Beach Charity Steve Elsworth.

The post Clearance work to recommence towards opening Weymouth’s Underbarn appeared first on Dorset Green Party.

A new bench has now been installed, which helps those with limited mobility. Foliage has been drastically cut back, opening up visibility of the ‘secluded’ bench.

Users of the steps report that anti-social behaviour (which Clare had been in contact with the police about) has reduced.

The post Clare Sutton and independent councillor achieve improvements to Chapelhay Steps appeared first on Dorset Green Party.

The large attendance over the two weeks reflected the pretty much unanimous rejection of the Incinerator by local
people.

Dorset Green Councillors Brian Heatley and Clare Sutton were among over 50 people who spoke at the Public Evidence day, all against the plant.

Clare focussed on the impact of 80 (huge!) HGV journeys through Wyke every day, and on the potential harm to our tourist industry and local economy.

She asked, “If you were a cruise ship passenger greeted on arrival by a massive waste incinerator, what would you put on TripAdvisor?”

Brian concentrated on the heritage arguments – the inspector was a heritage specialist – which are of particular significance in planning decisions.

Brian commented: “I think many of us are cautiously optimistic that the appeal will be rejected. The inspector listened very carefully to the well-informed and often passionate objections put forward by many local people. It’s
hard to imagine that more could have been done, especially by the fantastic Stop Portland Waste Incinerator campaign.”

The post Portland Waste Incinerator hangs in the balance, as Green councillors among speakers at Public Inquiry appeared first on Dorset Green Party.

We are delighted to report that this has finally been agreed and will be in place by the end of the year.

Photo: Clare was presented with an award for “outstanding service to STEPS Club for Young People” at their AGM

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