Eco-park campaigners say new tree cover screening at the site of the large incinerator will make it "slightly more bearable" - following a turbulent public meeting.

Details of the planting were debated at a special planning meeting on Friday March 13, along with three other items, including dust and odour control and water drainage.

Campaigners from Spelthorne Against the Eco Park (SATEP) spoke at the heated meeting and at one point, members of the public were told by chairman Keith Taylor the meeting would go into a closed session if people kept shouting and disrupting proceedings.

This is turning into a rabble, he said.

Although the condition was passed, residents were pleased when members agreed the screening trees to be planted around the incinerator should be mature, as had been previously stated in county council documents.

In more recent paperwork, officers stated 25, 14cm-16cm girth trees and 22 feathered trees would be planted as singles and in small groups along the railway line, to provide landscape mitigation measures.

The girth of a mature tree starts at 20cm.

Artist's impression of the planned eco-park in Shepperton

Planning officer Alan Stones said: The condition uses the word 'mature'. What I am saying is that [it is] a fair, reasonable and proportionate interpretation of that in terms of what the industry is able to provide.

But Councillor Ian Beardsmore argued: Theres been a very great material change to not having mature trees.

Go here to see the original:

Shepperton eco-park: New tree cover screening hailed as 'huge victory for residents'