Anger mounts over waste incinerator plan for Portland

There's hopes of a judicial review while campaigners are writing letters, gathering petitions and questioning authorities in the hope of getting the decision reversed, or at least looked at again.

Planning permission for the waste to energy plant at Portland Port was controversially given the go-ahead by the government last week despite fierce opposition.

The plan was initially refused by Dorset Council, prompting an appeal - and a public inquiry.

An environmental permit still has to be obtained to operate the facility from the Environment Agency and a new round of consultation was recently launched. 

READ MORE: Planning permission granted for Portland incinerator

Campaigners have expressed fears that emissions from the plant and lorries travelling to the site would be damaging to health.

Opponents also say that marine and plant life could be harmed and that the plant would be detrimental to the local tourism economy.

The Stop Portland Waste Incinerator campaign team along with the Jurassic Coast Against Incineration campaign were due to meet legal representatives to hear if there is a case for judicial review. The planned incinerator Laura Baldwin, environmental campaigner and former Olympic sailor, lives on Portland with her 11 year-old-son on the end of closest road to the incinerator. She is amongst those who strongly object to the scheme. 

Laura Baldwin speaking against the Portland Port incinerator at a meeting (Image: Laura Baldwin)

She said: “I live in my dream home overlooking the absolutely stunning Chesil Beach. It is the poorest street on the island and one of the poorest in the UK. We can’t afford to move but will feel we have to if this goes ahead.

"I’m stressed and depressed by this. We’ve worked hard to decarbonise our home, grow much of our own food, plant lots of trees and have goals to be zero waste.”

“We don’t want to be forced to receive energy from a waste incinerator that would emit tonne for tonne greenhouse gas for waste burned. No one is buying the companies carbon-accounting. No one is accepting that this resource destroying monster is “carbon neutral”." 

Dave Taylor runs Weymouth and Portland Marine Litter Project and regularly does litter picks on Weymouth beach (Image: Weymouth and Portland Marine Litter Project) Dave Taylor, of Weymouth and Portland Marine Litter Project, also started an online petition against the incinerator, calling on the government to stick to its pledge for a greener future. 

He said: "When we started litter picking on the beach, we became aware of how much stuff was being neglected and then sent away to the incinerator. 

"Opening another waste to energy plant is not going to solve that problem. We want to get people to recycle more. It will increase demand for waste rather than cut down waste. It seems totally pointless. 

"The industry is being run for money not the environment."

South Dorset MP Lloyd Hatton is against the plan and said: "I will work continuously with local campaigners. I fully support their efforts in what they’re doing and will help in whatever way I can. I think the proposal is a big mistake and they have my full support.

“I have concerns about the impact on our local environment and the local economy. The idea of building it at the end of a busy congested road is not well thought through.

“As the local MP I will continue to support work they’re doing and do everything I can to support them."

Meanwhile a local campaigner is also fighting against the proposal, and is carrying out a relentless email campaign to stakeholders warning them of potential health and environmental risks. 

The man, who only wanted to be identified as Marco Van BD said: "Portland is very beautiful and because of it's natural beauty, holidaymakers visit every year to scuba dive, climb, bird watch, hike, cycle, sail etc.

"This waste incinerator will result in a public health crisis, an economic downturn, and an environmental disaster."

He has also expressed fears that prisoners at HMP The Verne and HMP Portland, who will be close to the proposed site, will be more vulnerable to harmful pollutants which are known to be released from waste incinerators.

The plans were initially unveiled in November 2019 but has always been met by fierce opposition. 

Protest against the incinerator (Image: Echo Photographer) Powerfuel's application attracted more than 3,360 objections from members of the public, as well as Portland Town Council and Weymouth Town Council.

Residents also voiced their concerns about the plans at a public inquiry in 2023.

READ MORE: Residents speak out on Portland incinerator at inquiry

Powerfuel Portland has previously stated that the incinerator will not treat hazardous or clinical waste, using the latest technology and techniques to 'safely’ and ‘efficiently’ produce low carbon energy from non-recyclable waste. 

Local groups Stop Portland Waste Incinerator and Jurassic Coast Against Incineration hired technical experts to evaluate Powerfuel’s proposals, and organised demonstrations in the past.