Portland Town Council has agreed a proposal by Green Councillor Kia Pope to call on King Charles to intervene and help stop the proposed construction of a waste incinerator on the island at Portland Port.
Following the green light being given by Government to the proposal, councillors will now write to King Charles – who has championed environmental issues – to express their anger over the plans.
This will cite the island’s 1,000 year history as a Royal Manor, with its Court Leet guarding the rights and privileges of the islanders.
Speaking at a town council meeting, Cllr Pope said: “We need a serious discussion about what comes next.
“If the appeal fails, I will continue to oppose it.
“Once it’s operational and burning lots of rubbish on our doorstep, we will keep fighting to shut it down.
“I cannot find a single person on this island who supports the incinerator. Not one. This motion reflects solidarity with the feeling of our constituents.
“I am outraged, we are all outraged, and we must use every tool we have to continue this fight.
“So I propose we take advantage of our special status as a Royal Manor and our ancient relationship with the Crown, and ask that His Royal Highness intervene to stop this anti democratic madness that is the trash incinerator.”
Reporting the move, the Dorset Echo commented: “Despite the island’s status as a Royal Manor, it is unlikely the King would overturn a government decision or get involved in any legal proceedings that are still active.”
But Cllr Pope said he hoped Charles would give a response and ‘some kind of intervention’.
Campaigners submitted a legal challenge over the government’s decision to overturn Dorset Council’s rejection of the plans, but the High Court dismissed the case earlier this year. There is currently an application to lodge an appeal of this decision.