Plymouth campaigners opposing waste-dumping at sea win a victory
Whitsand Bay
The campaign group ‘Stop Dumping in Whitsand Bay’ went to the High Court to seek a judicial review of the decision by the Maritime Management Organisation (MMO) to grant a licence to dump 367,000 tonnes of potentially toxic silt dredged from the River Tamar into Whitsand Bay, a local beauty spot as well as a registered dumping site near Plymouth in Cornwall.
The group who fought the 20-year battle to protect Whitsand Bay, a local beauty spot, have claimed victory after a marine watchdog admitted it was wrong to allow the dumping of poisonous silt off the coast of Cornwall. The campaigners, advised by Marine consultant Terri Portmann claimed the material, dredged out to clear channels for ships entering and leaving the Devonport Naval shipyard, contained toxic metals and chemicals that was killing sea life and smothering reefs.
The MMO initially contested the case, but has now agreed to quash its licence admitting that there were “deficiencies” in the way the decision was taken. But the case is not quite over yet as it has yet to be approved by a judge. However, the group Stop Dumping in Whitsand Bay were obviously delighted and claimed it as a huge victory for the local community.
There is more to be seen on this issue by going to the Plymouth Herald source at www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Victory-toxic-dumping-battle/story-25905285-detail/story.html#ixzz3PY9n9Od2
