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On Wednesday
17 December 2008, RWE npower announced that they have
no need of Thrupp Lake for ash disposal at any time
in the future, and would be giving the Lake to the community,
for nature conservation, through a partnership
management scheme. This could include the possible creation
of an educational and environmental centre at Sandles.
They have
outlined a vision for the whole Radley Lakes area that
would create a substantial wildlife haven and amenity
areas, balancing the needs of wildlife and local people.
To this end, in May 2009, they appointed Northmoor Trust
as their preferred partner who will manage the area
on behalf of Npower. Harry Barton is the Chief
Executive of Northmoor Trust and is looking forward
to the challenge.
The ash
that was destined for Thrupp Lake will now go to the
WRG landfill site at Sutton Courtenay, which
is right next to the Power Station, where it will
be used sustainably for engineering purposes in connection
with landfill operations. The transportation of the
ash will not use public roads and there should be
no adverse impact at all for local residents.
Surplus ash will be stored at Sutton Courtenay for
use after the power station closes, which will be
by the end of 2015. This will save the importation
of around half a million tonnes of material
to the site, most probably by road, in the future
- a significant beneficial outcome for Sutton Courtenay
too.
The Town
Green Judicial Review is now withdrawn from the
Court process and our legal bills have been paid.
We are in discussions with Northmoor
Trust as to how we can be of assistance in their vision
for the future of Sandles and Thrupp Lake.
They have
started clearance workon the site with assistance
from local people and SRL Members.
A series of working parties are planned prior
to major project works later on.
In the meantime,
Save Radley Lakes are facing other, relatively minor,
threats to the area: a CLEUD by Tuckwells and
the possibility of further gravel extraction.
Oxfordshire County Council have refused to grant the
CLEUD and further developments are awaited..
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