As many readers will know, Powerfuel appealed against Dorset Council’s decision to refuse permission for a new waste incinerator on Portland. The Public Inquiry was held 5-21 December and the final decision will be taken by Secretary of State Michael Gove based on the Inspector’s report.
The large attendance over the two weeks reflected the pretty much unanimous rejection of the Incinerator by local
people.
Dorset Green Councillors Brian Heatley and Clare Sutton were among over 50 people who spoke at the Public Evidence day, all against the plant.
Clare focussed on the impact of 80 (huge!) HGV journeys through Wyke every day, and on the potential harm to our tourist industry and local economy.
She asked, “If you were a cruise ship passenger greeted on arrival by a massive waste incinerator, what would you put on TripAdvisor?”
Brian concentrated on the heritage arguments – the inspector was a heritage specialist – which are of particular significance in planning decisions.
Brian commented: “I think many of us are cautiously optimistic that the appeal will be rejected. The inspector listened very carefully to the well-informed and often passionate objections put forward by many local people. It’s
hard to imagine that more could have been done, especially by the fantastic Stop Portland Waste Incinerator campaign.”