Local Authority Head Seeks Halt to Incinerator Project

A local authority head has requested a temporary halt to a proposed incinerator project, advocating for a thorough evaluation of its ecological effects on the surrounding region. The facility designated for Portland Port received approval from the Environment Secretary in September, notwithstanding its initial rejection by the local council. In correspondence addressed to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Nick Ireland, leader of Dorset Council, implored the department to suspend the issuance of permits during an ongoing inquiry by the Environment Agency. Significant public opposition has arisen against the planned incinerator, with South Dorset Labour MP Lloyd Hatton recently advocating for an immediate suspension to postpone the project. Defra verified that Secretary of State Steve Reed has acknowledged receipt of the communication. The correspondence states that “Dorset is very keen to support” the government’s environmental goals and that the county is “proud to be pushing down residual waste as England’s number one unitary authority for recycling”. Mr. Ireland indicated that Dorset Council expressed approval for the “Environment Agency’s decision to reopen the consultation” “for a permit to operate”. He highlighted that “the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero has twice delayed planning decisions on a proposal in North Lincolnshire to enable time for consideration and consultation on the note”. The letter concludes by stating that Dorset Council looks “forward to Defra’s work on residual waste” and expresses his hope that “evidence will be fully considered in future permitting decisions”. During November, Lloyd Hatton, the Member of Parliament for South Dorset, advocated for a temporary halt to all incinerator developments slated for construction throughout England. He expressed skepticism regarding the economic, social, or ecological justification for such projects, asserting that “a waste incinerator on Portland would be bad news for public health, the local environment, and our local economy”. Planning permission for an incinerator at Portland Port received approval from Rushanara Ali MP, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Building Safety and Homelessness, acting on behalf of the Secretary of State. In October, activists initiated legal proceedings aimed at challenging the decision, seeking to overturn the government’s determination. Powerfuel Portland stated that its facility would enable Dorset’s non-recyclable waste to be “managed locally in a more sustainable way”. For updates, BBC Dorset is available on Facebook, X, and Instagram. This content is copyrighted by BBC 2024, with all rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for material on external websites. Further details on our external linking policy are available.