How and when has Covanta consulted
In November 2008, Covanta embarked on a 20 month programme of consultation and held two separate rounds of public exhibitions in summer 2009 and spring 2010, which attracted over 1,000 local people to attend, find out more and comment on the developing proposals. Covanta also set-up an independent Community Liaison Panel (CLP) and has consulted with over 100 statutory consultees (including all local authorities in Bedfordshire, English Heritage and the Bedfordshire and Luton Primary Care Trust).
The feedback received has helped to shape the design and operational features of the proposed RRF ahead of the submission to the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) which was made in early August 2010. All the comments received throughout the consultation process have been considered as part of the finalisation of the Development Consent Order (DCO) Application to the IPC.
On the 26th August 2010, Covanta received notification from the IPC that its application for a DCO to authorise the RRF had been accepted for examination. This allowed the application to move forward to the 'pre-examination' and 'examination' phases of the IPC decision making process, during which the application was scrutinised by interested parties, including the general public, and the Commission itself.
Following the conclusion of the examination phase, on 13th October 2011 the IPC announced that Covanta’s application for a DCO should been granted subject to a Special Parliamentary Process (SPP).
The Order was laid before Parliament on 29 November 2011. The Order now needs to go through the SPP before it comes into effect. It is for Parliament to manage this process in accordance with its procedures and Covanta will get involved as appropriate. Further information on the SPP is available on Parliament’s website which can be accessed here.
Covanta is currently formulating its construction plans and will continue to work closely with local councils, the local community and the independent Rookery South Community Liaison Panel as the project progresses.