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AND IN THE WELBECK CORNER ...



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Published Date: 14 September 2000
CAMPAIGNING Wakefield environmentalist Paul Dainton has spoken out following his bust-up with the council over planned developments at Welbeck tip.
He was arrested after dramatic scenes during a planning meeting at County Hall.
He was evicted from council offices and arrested after refusing to abide by Town Hall procedures.
Mr Dainton says the council s significant financial stake in Welbeck R
eclamation and Landfill Site, Normanton, means it should not be able to make decisions on the key issues concerning Welbeck.
In dramatic scenes last Friday police dragged Mr Dainton from the council chamber to a police van and drove him to Wood Street Police Station.
He was released six hours later, after the planning meeting, without charge.
The committee meeting had barely got under way when Mr Dainton, leader of Residents Against Toxic Scheme (RATS) interrupted proceedings.
He was there to protest against plans to allow Waste Recycling Group a further five years for building a plant, gas and water compound at Welbeck, which he claims is Europe s largest known Toxic Tip . How the fight turned, round-by-round:
ROUND 1...
Coun Rick Hayward, chairman of the regulatory board, lands the first strike when he asks members to declare any interests and Mr Dainton tries to speak from the public gallery.
ROUND 2...
Coun Hayward, rocked but not seriously hurt, tells the protester it was not a public meeting and he was not allowed to speak.
ROUND 3...
Despite this blow, Mr Dainton remains on his feet. Changing to southpaw style, he continues to speak.
ROUND 4...
COUN Hayward lands a flurry, insisting his adversary remains seated to listen to the council s legal adviser.
ROUND 5...
Mr Dainton bounds off the ropes, saying: I am trying to make the point that the council has a 20 per cent share in the site and should therefore not be able to make a decision on the application by Welbeck. These elected members have a vast financial interest in passing this planning request because of the value of the authority s shares in Welbeck, and they should register their interest in the application.
ROUND 6...
But a member of the council s corner, wearing council s legal department briefs, joins in the melee, saying: The fact that the council has some interest in the Welbeck scheme is immaterial in considering the planning application today.
ROUND 7...
COUN Hayward, taking out his gum shield, suspends the meeting for the morning session. He accuses the Welbeck Challenger of Prince Naseem-style antics.
Hayward, the Bearded Bomber, departs from the ring and tells the audience before leaving the room:
I hope Mr Dainton does not continue with this type of play acting.
ROUND 8...
Police are called. Sgt Ian Froggett, the new referee, says:
Mr Dainton wishes to make a point which cannot be accepted at this point of the meeting.
ROUND 9...
Mr Dainton is told that unless he is prepared to follow normal procedures (and Queensbury rules) he will be removed from the bout.
ROUND 10...
He refuses and at 1.15pm is removed from the chamber. As he left with policemen on either side of him he stumbled down some steps. He s down but not out.
TECHNICAL KNOCKOUT ...
DAZED yet still fighting fit, the Welbeck Challenger comes out of the building, storming: They ve arrested me ... you can see what they ve done to me.
Complaining he were robbed, the Welbeck favourite, tells the boxing/council correspondent of Wakefield Express: They ve really bounced me. I was doing nothing I just wanted to make a very simple protest about gas flare off.
But Coun Hayward says: We very much regret the inconvenience caused to the general public today by having to adjourn the meeting.
The planning board does take its responsibilities very seriously and it is impossible to consider complex issues in a meeting which is being disrupted.
One would have serious doubts about the motives of someone who is trying to prevent such discussion.
BUT seriously ...
Later Mr Dainton, emphasising the serious point of his cause, says: I m trying to fight for the health and welfare of future generations. I am just one person but if we stand together we can change the world.
Due to the disruption of the meeting the application for Welbeck was put forward until the end of the day. The application was to allow a further five years before work would start but on a vote this was reduced to three years. This will not impress the Welbeck camp.
Mr Dainton has vowed not to give up the battle, which he says has vital consequences for local residents.Unbowed, he demands a re-match. Can anyone Box ..?



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