PEOPLE fighting plans for a waste to energy incinerator in Keighley say they will regroup following a blow to their campaign.

The Government has decided not to ‘call in’ the proposals for the facility next to the Aire Valley Bypass, at Marley.

Bradford Council had approved the plans, but objectors hoped the Secretary of State for the Department for Communities and Local Government would intervene to make his own ruling.

A letter from the department states that the Secretary of State has considered the case, but judged that it was right for it to be determined by the local planning authority.

Rachel Shimbles, who with her husband Simon co-organised an anti incinerator protest march, said: “As far as Simon and I are concerned – and indeed the other 7,100 members of the Aire Valley Against Incineration (AVAI) group – we’re very disappointed with the news. But we are determined to fight on.”

Fellow AVAI member, Jane Stone, said: “We understand that at this stage Bradford Council has the power to recall the decision for reconsideration and we urge it to do this.

“We feel the council made the decision without all the facts, and without the opinion of thousands of residents – in the Aire and Wharfe Valleys – who, now they’re aware of the plans, are passionately against them. We’d like to avoid needing to have a Judicial Review, but we have legal representation in place should this be necessary.”

Keighley MP Kris Hopkins has spoken in support of the waste to energy incinerator, though has urged applicant Endless Energy Ltd to reassure the public about its plans.

Mr Hopkins’ backing of the plans has been attacked by AVAI, which on Tuesday evening staged a demonstration against his views outside Keighley College, where the MP was due to be a guest speaker at an event.

Mrs Shimbles has started an online petition called “Vote of NO confidence in Keighley & Ilkley MP Kris Hopkins” which had attracted more than 600 names by yesterday afternoon.

The petition states: “We feel MP Kris Hopkins is no longer fit to conduct his duties as representative for the residents of Keighley and Ilkley

“It has become increasingly obvious that his views do not accurately represent those of his constituents. He has ignored massive local opposition regarding the building of the Aire Valley Incinerator.”

Simon Shimbles said: “We know Kris Hopkins said he’s not in the business of chasing away investment, but we feel some types of investment should be chased away. Keighley is not a second class town that should just accept and be grateful for any investment, no matter how toxic.

“Our MP should be working to attract clean investment from innovative, forward thinking companies, not giving the green light to a company that wants to put profit before people and pollute the Aire Valley.”

Mr Hopkins responded: “I’m sure Bradford councillors, who voted for the planning application, will welcome the Secretary of State’s decision not to call this in.

“It’s the role of the council and the Environmental Agency to ensure the company’s licence is complied with, if granted. I’ll be first in the queue if the developers don’t follow regulations. I wouldn’t stand over any project that would damage the wellbeing of my constituents nor, indeed, anyone else.”