CONTROVERSIAL proposals to build a waste incinerator on Portland are to be decided this month.
As reported, developer Powerfuel wants to build a £100 million waste energy plant at Portland Port – but plans have been met by fierce opposition amid health fears.
The plans were initially unveiled in November 2019, and a date has at long last been set for the planning application to go before Dorset Council’s Strategic Minerals and Waste Planning Committee.
The meeting will be held at county hall on Thursday December 22 at 9am and will be live-streamed on Dorset Council’s website and YouTube channel.
Powerfuel's application has attracted more than 3,360 objections from members of the public, as well as Portland Town Council and Weymouth Town Council. Other critics include Government minister for Sport, Tourism and Civil Society Nigel Huddleston MP, and South Dorset MP Richard Drax.
Meanwhile, local groups Stop Portland Waste Incinerator and Jurassic Coast Against Incineration have hired technical experts to evaluate Powerfuel’s proposals, and have organised demonstrations.
Opponents say emissions from the plant and lorries would be damaging to health. It is feared that marine and plant life could be harmed, and that the plant would be detrimental to the local tourism economy.
If planning permission is granted on December 22, Powerfuel will still need to obtain an Environmental Permit to operate the facility. This is still being considered by the Environment Agency.
If the planning application is refused by Dorset Council, Powerfuel may decide to appeal against the outcome to the secretary of state.
A spokesperson for Dorset Council said the full report being put before members of the Planning committee, which includes a recommendation from planning officers, should be published on the council’s website no later than Wednesday December 14.
As well as live streaming the meeting on the Dorset Council website and YouTube channel, a recording of the meeting will also be made available as soon as proceedings have concluded.
Powerfuel was contacted for comment.
- The full planning application can be viewed on Dorset Council's website ref WP/20/00692/DCC and public comments can still be made.
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