WEYMOUTH and Portland town councils have joined forces to challenge controversial proposals for a Portland waste incinerator and are calling on residents to comment on a public consultation that ends tomorrow.

In a stark message to residents, the chairman of Portland Town Council said the consequences of failing to properly scrutinise the proposals could burden future generations - as the councils are to commission an independent expert review of an operating permit application for the plant.

The councils have now issued a joint statement urging residents to comment on a public consultation, being run by the Environment Agency, before the deadline tomorrow, Wednesday September 22.

The application from Powerfuel, the company behind the proposal, comprises technical assessments provided by Powerfuel on a range of issues including noise impact, air quality, risks to human health, assessment of greenhouse gas, and fire prevention - among others.

Powerfuel has said the plant would use waste as a fuel to produce 15MW of energy, supplied to the national grid - enough to power around 30,000 homes - as well as providing shore power to Portland Port.

Weymouth and Portland councils have committed to spending £40,000 on a scientific review of the operating permit application, which will enable environmental and technical experts to evaluate evidence and prepare a formal challenge if there are grounds to do so.

Dorset Echo: Protest held on Portland against the incinerator plan last yearProtest held on Portland against the incinerator plan last year

A spokesman on behalf of Weymouth and Portland town councils said: "Portland and Weymouth, as neighbouring councils, feel strongly that they need to work closely to do their absolute best for residents because any negative effect from the proposed incinerator, such as emissions, noise or significant traffic increases would impact on everyone living and working along this beautiful coastline."

Portland Town Council’s chairman Carralyn Parkes added: “Doing nothing is not an option, as the consequences of failing to act now could burden the wellbeing of many generations to come.

"Our over-riding priority in committing funding to this review is the serious potential health risks to Portland residents, and neighbours in surrounding areas, as well as potential damage to sensitive, specially-designated marine and coastal environments.”

Previously cited concerns include the potential impact upon tourism on Dorset's Jurassic Coast, and emissions from the plant and heavy vehicles affecting Weymouth, as well as Portland.

Dorset Echo: Several campaign groups have been established to oppose the plans for an incinerator on PortlandSeveral campaign groups have been established to oppose the plans for an incinerator on Portland

A planning application, which considers wider implications of the scheme including traffic, and whether the location is suitable, is to be considered by Dorset Council at a later date.

The operating permit application to the Environment Agency is separate to the planning application - but without a permit the plant cannot operate.

Documents attached to the planning application on Dorset Council's website reveal how concerns have been raised about the proposed location, and the potential impact a plant would have on the mental health and wellbeing of residents - with areas of Portland among England's ten per cent most deprived.

Powerfuel suggested that jobs created during the construction of the plant could help reduce health inequalities linked to poverty.

Assessments attached to the planning application also indicate that alternative locations identified elsewhere in Dorset would offer a lower-carbon alternative to Portland. However Powerfuel claims that the carbon impact associated with transporting waste to the island would be offset by generating shore power, and potential plans for providing a heat source to buildings on the island. To do so would require digging up roads to connect the plant to homes and businesses however, and would require a separate planning application.

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

Echoing the need for the permit application documents to be independently assessed, Mayor of Weymouth Colin Huckle said: "Working in partnership with Portland Town Council, Weymouth Town Council agreed to contribute £20,000 in match-funding towards an independent review of the incinerator operating permit.

"This decision was supported at September’s Full Council meeting because we recognise there is a pressing need to scrutinise these proposals for the benefit of residents in both Weymouth and Portland.”

To take part in the incinerator permit consultation visit the Environment Agency’s website: consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/psc/dt5-1pp-powerfuel-portland-limited/