They objected on health grounds to asbestos from the ships being disposed of in the Seaton Meadows landfill site, even though the site has an Environment Agency licence which allows it to be used for this purpose.

Thousands of tonnes of asbestos, from Hartlepool and other parts of North East England, have been disposed of at Seaton Meadows over the years and the quantities which will arise from the dismantling of the ships will only add to the large and increasing quantities which are already there.

Over the last five years the council's planning officers have done a great deal of excellent, detailed work on this matter, as have the engineers and scientists employed by the Government's Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive.

Environmental impact assessments have been meticulously carried out and particular attention has been given to the safety of the work force and the public.

In addition, the Government recently confirmed that it wants redundant ships to be properly dismantled in Britain and that North East England is a good location for this work to be carried out. Jobs will, of course, be created and millions of pounds will flow into the local economy every year.

Eventually, after a great deal of careful discussion, the council's planning committee approved the Able UK project and the Government's planning inspector later concluded, after a two-week public inquiry, that ship dismantling should proceed in accordance with the specified conditions.

The Secretary of State then gave the final confirmation that ship dismantling should proceed.

However, local protesters have decided to apply to the High Court in London for a judicial review of the Secretary of State's decision.

Their request may well be refused on the grounds that all planning and health and safety issues have been properly dealt with, including several detailed public consultations.

However, if the judicial review does go ahead, the protesters will presumably be asked why they consider that dismantling ships at Graythorp and putting the asbestos into Seaton Meadows is a threat to the health of future generations when they have never campaigned against the thousands of tonnes that are already there.

Jim Allan,
Hartlepool.