TWO campaign groups fighting against a controversial proposal for a waste incinerator on Portland have joined forces in their fundraising efforts - as feedback is welcomed as part of a public consultation.

Stop Portland Waste Incinerator (SPWI) and the Jurassic Coast Against Incinerator (JCAI) have joined forces to fight plans for a £100m incinerator at Portland Port, which plans to use waste as fuel to produce enough carbon energy to power around 30,000 homes.

The groups have cited concerns about the increase in traffic and possible pollution, as well as its location on the Jurassic Coast as reasons for protesting against the proposal, and are fundraising for £45,000 to pay for consultant reports - an environmental and planning review, an air quality report and an ecology report - as well as for environmental legal advice, to try to drum up enough support to prevent the plant from being built.

So far, the groups have raised slightly more than £20,000 but hope that by pooling their efforts they will be able to reach their target more quickly.

Dorset Echo: Artist's impression of the proposed waste incinerator Picture: Powerfuel PortlandArtist's impression of the proposed waste incinerator Picture: Powerfuel Portland

Paula Klaentschi, spokeswoman for SPWI and JCAI, said: "The two campaign groups are working together on the fundraising. We are still two separate groups but we don't want to duplicate with fundraising so we are going to pool our resources.

"Our objection is not a matter of opinion, it is a matter of respect for the environment. If you want to limit carbon emissions in Dorset then you must object to this proposal. It's the wrong development in the wrong place."

Last month, the Environment Agency launched a public consultation on an environment permit requested by Powerfuel, and residents are encouraged to give their feedback.

At a Weymouth Town Council planning meeting on Tuesday evening, councillors agreed they would discuss the environment permit consultation at the next meeting of the Planning and Licensing Committee on August 10, despite having voted against the incinerator proposal in November last year.

A spokesman for the council said: "While Weymouth Town Council cannot judge the scientific arguments, it can consider the representations put forward about pollutants by residents and by the applicant, including those submitted when the Powerfuel planning application was put before the Planning and Licensing Committee previously."

The deadline for submitting feedback as part of the public consultation is September 3.

To have your say, visit www.consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/psc/dt5-1pp-powerfuel-portland-limited/