BRITAIN DOES NOT NEED THE BYLEY GAS PLANT

Before all else - remember that
BRITAIN DOES NOT NEED THE BYLEY GAS PLANT

The UK already has an effective and well planned gas storage system

The Byley Gas plant would add insignificant extra capacity (3.8%)

Transco - responsible to Government for the United Kingdoms gas supply sees

NO NEED TO INVEST IN MORE GAS STORAGE CAPACITY

And gas demand nationally is not greatly increasing

But gas exports to other countries are increasing rapidly and Scottish Power want to sell gas overseas

And Scottish Power has a get-rich-quick scheme - for the technical case to back up these claims

High Court backs Cheshire Gas Plant

HIGH COURT BACKS GAS PLANT:
A SAD DAY FOR DEMOCRACY

RAP regrets to report that on Thursday December 9th in the High Court in London, Mr Justice Davies gave judgment against Cranage Parish Council in its challenge of the decision made by the Secretaries of State - John Prescott and Patricia Hewitt - to over-rule the 2002 public inquiry which recommended against Scottish Power's Byley gas plant.

The judgment was long and highly detailed, taking over two hours to explain and reflecting the exceedingly close-fought nature of this complex case which was effectively testing the constitutional powers of the Secretaries of State in local planning decisions.

Although Mr Justice Davies's final judgment allows Scottish Power to build the gas plant, RAP thanks him for his fairness and impartiality, and stresses that he was doing no more than conducting an examination of the exotic peculiarities of planning law, as he found it.

It is significant that at one stage in the two-day hearing, when the Barrister for the Secretaries of State had finished explaining the almost unlimited powers wielded by the Secretaries in interpreting local planning regulations, Mr Justice Davies - himself not an expert in planning law - was so amazed that he commented:

"I am tempted to say 'good grief'!"

The High Court action was attended by members of Cranage Parish Council and of RAP. John Halstead, RAP Chairman, said:

"We've no quarrel with the Judge. He was so obviously trying to be fair. What's wrong is a legal system that allows John Prescott unlimited ability to run the planning system. We have to ask, what was the point of a five-week public inquiry, if John Prescott can squash it whenever he likes? It's a black day for British democracy."

After the judgment, Scottish Power waived costs against Cranage Parish Council, but the barrister for the Secretaries of State asked for costs of up to £13,000. Mr Justice Davies ordered the Secretaries of State to go away and re-consider this claim, a clear indication that Cranage's case was strong and was fully worthy of the High Court's attention.

Cranage Parish Council, together with their lawyers and with RAP will now examine the judgment in detail to seek any opportunity for further appeal.

RAP will furthermore examine every possible aspect of the gas plant proposal, and will consult RAP's many allies and supporters, to seek other routes whereby the gas plant - that hideous disfigurement on the face of rural England - might yet be prevented.

John Halstead added:

"Scottish Power can stick the corks back in their champagne. RAP's still here and still fighting."

Cheshire Gas Plant date in the High Court !!

GAS PLANT:
DATE FOR HIGH COURT HEARING
IS 6TH &7TH DECEMBER

RAP are delighted to announce that the High Court has set a date to review the Byley Gas Plant decision. On 6th and 7th December of this year, the Court will review John Prescott and Patricia Hewitt's approval of the Gas Plant, and will give a definitive view on the wisdom or otherwise of their action.

Said RAP Chairman John Halstead:
"We can't wait. Everyone knows that Prescott's decision was bizarre and impossible to understand. How could he have approved that plant when a 5-week public inquiry said it shouldn't be built? And it was Prescott's own inquiry, run by experts appointed by him. We look forward to an authentic bit of British justice at the High Court, and Prescott being told to think again."

When the High Court ends its hearing on 7th December, there may be another long wait for a decision, while the court considers this complex matter. John Halstead added:
"We'll take this calmly. We may get no final decision for months after December 7th, so while RAP members will be in the public gallery at the High Court, we shall aim as ever to be a dignified presence. This is not an occasion for any sort of mass demonstration with banners and placards and we're certainly not organizing one. We'll put our trust in the court and watch events."

John Prescott does not care about the people who live in Cheshire

PRESCOTT UMOVED BY
MOSS BLUFF DISASTER
'A DISGRACE' SAYS RAP

Following the catastrophic accident at Moss Bluff, Texas where a Byley-style gas plant exploded with a fireball visible for 20 miles, BBC and Press reports indicate that John Prescott's 'Office of the Deputy Prime Minister' is saying that it is still resolved to approve Scottish Power's proposal for the Byley Plant.

Said John Halstead, Chairman of Residents Against the Plant (RAP):

'This is a disgraceful decision. The Moss Bluff plant is the same as the Byley plant would be. It stores natural gas at high pressure in underground salt caverns. RAP has been saying for years that the Byley plant would be unsafe, and now we have proof positive that RAP was right, and that Byley-style plants can explode disastrously. Thank God nobody was killed at Moss Bluff, because the plant is in sparsely populated country. But if a Byley plant exploded like this,, then the loss of life in Cheshire would be heavy and terrible.'

Dr John Edwards' RAP's press spokesman added,

'I stated years ago in a TV interview, that an explosion at the Byley plant could be like a nuclear fireball. Our opponents said that was scare-mongering, but anybody who has seen pictures of the 1,000 foot flames roaring over the Moss Bluff plant, would immediately think of a nuclear detonation. If John Prescott won't take this into account, something is deeply wrong somewhere.'

John Halsted concluded by saying:

'Everyone please note that when John Prescott's decision to approve the gas plant comes to the High Court, then the Court CANNOT react to the Moss Bluff accident. It can only judge Prescott's decision to approve the gas plant on the information he had available when he made the decision.

So it's all the more vital that people write to Prescott, at

John Prescott, House of Commons, London,

George Osborne MP to address RAP public meeting

GEORGE OSBORNE
TO ADDRESS
RAP PUBLIC MEETING

Following the announcement that a writ has been served on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, to enable a High Court challenge of John Prescott & Patricia Hewitt’s approval of Scottish Power’s Byley Gas Plant, RAP and Cranage Parish Council (who formally served the writ), now await the High Court’s announcement of a date for the hearing.

Meanwhile donations are still flowing into RAP’s fighting fund. Said RAP Chairman John Halstead: “We are immensely proud to announce that our fund now tops £24,000, representing the generosity of so many Cheshire residents, furious over John Prescott’s iniquitous decision to overturn the results of the Public inquiry – the inquiry which he himself set up – and which recommended the gas plant should not be built. The man can’t be much of a politician if he couldn’t predict the anger that this irrational decision would provoke.”

Meanwhile RAP announce a public meeting to be held in Byley Village hall, at 7 pm on Friday August 13th.

Speakers will include the Rt Hon George Osbourne MP

Light refreshments will be served and the meeting is the opportunity for RAP’s many supporters and helpers to get together for latest information, for the chance to ask questions, and for details of future actions.

John Halstead commented: “There must be thousands of people who hate the gas plant, and who have protested, and written letters, and contributed funds, but who may feel they’re standing alone in the fight against Scottish Power. Well they’re not alone! They’re part of a team: thousands strong, standing shoulder to shoulder. So come and join us on Friday August 13th. And yes, Friday the 13th is indeed unlucky … it’s unlucky for Scottish Power and John Prescott.”

Cheshire Gas Plant challenged in high court

GAS PLANT
CHALLENGED IN HIGH COURT
THE FIGHT IS ON!

At 11.50 am on 29/6/04 RAP announced that a writ has been served on the Treasury’s Solicitors challenging John Prescott and Patricia Hewitt’s approval of Scottish Power’s gas plant. The case will come before the High Court in London at a date yet to be announced.

To comply with legal requirements, the writ was served by Cranage Parish Council, a long standing opponent of the gas plant, while RAP (Residents Against the Plant) will provide technical advice, and financial support, to deliver a powerful case against Prescott and Hewitt’s perverse decision to over-rule a fair and open public inquiry.

Said RAP John Halstead:
“We are delighted with this opportunity to fight on, and we’re full of confidence that justice will prevail. We now wait for the High Court to give a date for the case to be heard. Our lawyers say that this may not be for six months to a year, and in the meanwhile, Scottish Power’s plans come to a full stop! They can’t put so much as a spade into the ground until the High Court gives its judgment. Meanwhile, donations to our fighting fund have now exceeded £23,000 – a magnificent total, mainly in small sums from large numbers of angry Cheshire residents. But we still need more, to make sure we can finally drive a stake through the heart of Scottish Power and its wretched project. So I appeal to the people of Cheshire to keep the funds rolling in. Let’s kill the gas plant. Let’s kill it together!”

Secretaries of State Overturn Public Inquiry Recommendations

Gas Plant Approved

On 19th May, John Prescott (Deputy Prime Minister) (type in "john prescott liar into google to see the true history of this person) and Patricia Hewitt (Secretary of State for Trade and Industry) dramatically and incomprehensibly overturned the findings of Mr Robert Lyon – Inspector in charge of the December 2002 public inquiry – which found against the gas plant.

George Osborne MP, described this as ‘beggaring belief’

Lady Anne Winterton MP, asked in the House of Commons: ‘What is the point of a public inquiry if the Secretaries of State will simply overrule it?”

RAP’s response is fury and bafflement.

The public inquiry ran 5 weeks, and considered every possible aspect of the gas plant in meticulous detail. The inspector then spent 5 months writing a considered and detailed report. He found against the Gas Plant on the grounds of its adverse effect on the open countryside.

Despite this, Prescott and Hewitt claim there is ‘National Need’ for the gas plant, even though the inspector specifically stated there is no national need!

RAP SAYS: WE WON THE SCIENCE,
WE LOST THE POLITICS,
THE FIGHT GOES ON!

We have until the end of June to lodge an appeal with the High Court, against the incomprehensible decision of the Secretaries of State.

We are busy with our lawyers planning the next step.

Byley Gas plant: the fight continues

BYLEY GAS PLANT:
RAP FIGHTS ON!

Faced with an incomprehensible decision by John Prescott and Patricia Hewitt to overturn the result of the 2002 public inquiry on Scottish Power’s Byley gas plant, RAP has no option than to fight on with an appeal to the High Court. But not only does RAP have no option – RAP has the heart, soul and mind determination to fight on! This is not a reluctant fight.

Said RAP Chairman John Halstead: The details are now with our lawyers who are studying grounds for appeal. At first look we are greatly encouraged and see good grounds for challenging this perverse decision by the Secretaries of State.

We now have until June 30th to make our challenge in the High Court. RAP will deal with the details of the case, acting together with Councils Against the Plant, who will formally brief lawyers. But one thing we will surely need is money.

Our advice is that to be allowed to go to the High Court we will need about £50,000 in the bank. We are confident we can raise that, given assurances from a number of major backers of our campaign. But we need something else. We need a large number of donations from the public. We need this to show that the fight is on behalf of the ordinary people of Cheshire.

So we need your donations: however large, however small. We need donations from the public with names and addresses of the donors. It doesn’t matter if you are giving five pounds or fifty pence. We need the endorsement of your support.

So if you want to kill the gas plant, send your donations to:
The Treasurer,
Residents Against the Plant,
C/O Pump Cottage,
King’s Lane,
Cranage,
Cheshire, CW10 9LX.

Disaster at the cheshire gas plant

BYLEY GAS PLANT APPROVED:
WE WON THE SCIENCE,
WE LOST THE POLITICS
BUT THE FIGHT CONTINUES!

Following yesterday’s announcement by John Prescott and Patricia Hewitt’s departments that they have approved Scottish Power’s plan for the Byley Gas Plant – despite the gas plant being opposed by the public inquiry of December 2002 - John Halstead, Chairman of Residents Against the Plant (RAP) commented.

“RAP’s first reaction is tremendous pride that we helped win the public inquiry which was the definitive fair and open opportunity for all concerned to give evidence. It covered not only technical matters like equipment design and geology, but also Britain’s economic need for gas. The inquiry also noted that the people of Cheshire do not want the gas plant, with over 10,000 letters of opposition written by residents. We are therefore dumfounded that the secretaries of state have approved the gas plant, in a direct contradiction to the public will and the measured findings of a five-week public inquiry. We ask what is the point of a public inquiry, if politicians are going to overrule it in private? Indeed we ask what precisely is going on?”

RAP points out that on April 13th, the ‘Guardian’ newspaper published an article by David Gow, its city editor, stating that Scottish Power were:

“…trying to enlist the support of senior cabinet ministers to overcome local resistance…” to the gas plant.

John Halstead added:

“RAP can fight the good fight in daylight, but are we facing a lobbying campaign by a multi-billion-pound international giant, done on the quiet?”

Also, a major plank has fallen out of Scottish Power’s arguments since energy expert Niall Trimble, has just executed a spectacular U-turn by contradicting the evidence he gave at the 2002 public inquiry, when he argued for the gas plant to store gas against national need. At the 2002 inquiry, Trimble said Britain faced a medium term shortage of gas, but on BBC’s ‘Working Lunch’ of May 18th, he declared that in the medium term ‘we will be awash with the stuff’ which nicely demolishes his own case.

John Halstead concluded:

“We have won the science and lost the politics, but the fight continues. We - and our lawyers - are going through the statement from the secretaries of state, and the report of the public inquiry. We already see good opportunity for an appeal against the approval of the gas plant, and RAP is undiminished in enthusiasm to fight on. We have the people, the money, and the will to win. Scottish Power should not yet open the champagne.”

ScottishPower running scared?

ScottishPower running scared?

Latest information on ScottishPower’s attempt to install the ‘gas plant’ - a major chemical-industrial complex - in Byley, Cheshire, despite massive local opposition, indicate ScottishPower may be running scared and seeking an unfair advantage.

‘Guardian’ financial editor, David Gow, reported in that national newspaper’s 13/4/04 edition that: ‘ScottishPower, the energy group, is trying to enlist the support of senior cabinet ministers to overcome local resistance to its plans to build a £100m gas storage plant in old salt mines in rural Cheshire.’

John Halstead, prominent champion of the fight against the gas plant, and chairman of action group Residents Against the Plant (RAP), immediately commented: ‘If ScottishPower really are trying to lobby ministers this is grossly unfair, since a full and proper public inquiry on the gas plant was held at Cheshire County Hall in December 2002. The public inquiry was the definitive, fair opportunity for everyone to have their say, and a report on the inquiry findings was written by Mr Robert Lyon, the inquiry chairman, and sent to John Prescott (Deputy Prime Minister) and Patricia Hewitt of the Department of Trade and Industry, for the final decision. We await their decision and are outraged at the possibility that anybody might seek unfairly to influence ministers. We have therefore written to John Prescott, asking whether or not he – or other ministers – have been approached by ScottishPower, and asking that RAP should be given equal opportunity to make our case, if ScottishPower have been given a hearing. We shall pursue this matter with vigour, and our friends in ‘Councils Against the Plant’ – 21 local Parish and Town Councils united against the gas plant – are also writing to John Prescott, just as we have done.’

RAP’s Press Spokesman, Dr John Edwards added, ‘I’ve spoken to journalist David Gow, who was straightforward and open-minded, but who had been given some inaccuracies by ScottishPower, such as the erroneous suggestion that ‘old salt mines’ would be used to store gas, rather than artificial salt cavities of technically-dubious design. I also stressed the truth that the UK does not need the gas plant. It’s a device to enable ScottishPower to make money: it’s greed not need.’

Finally, the question must be asked: if it is true that ScottishPower are attempting to lobby ministers, then why would they do it? Is it because they’re afraid they’re going to lose?