South Dorset MP opposes Portland incinerator plans

Lloyd Hatton has spoken out against plans to build a waste to energy plant at Portland Port - and outlined what he has been doing to try and stop it.

Mr Hatton has called on the Government to introduce a nationwide moratorium on the construction of new waste incinerators which he described as a "dirty energy source".

He has also warned Portland Port the proposals are "deeply damaging to the reputation of the Port".

It comes after a huge demonstration took place in Weymouth town centre at the weekend where hundreds marched, holding placards and chanting, demanding a stop to the incinerator plans. 

Previous demonstrations have been on Portland but it was decided to bring this protest to Weymouth in a bid to raise the campaign's profile further amid a forthcoming legal challenge.

Mr Hatton says he was unable to attend the demonstration as he was attending another constituency meeting.

However, he says he will do "everything I can" to oppose the proposals.

Portland waste incinerator protest in Weymouth (Image: Cristiano Magaglio) People are concerned for a number of reasons including fears about the impact on the environment and tourism, the incinerator's position on the acclaimed Jurassic Coast, and the amount of lorries that would travel through the area.

READ MORE: Anger mounts over waste incinerator plan for Portland

READ MORE: Hundreds march against Portland incinerator in Weymouth

Powerfuel Portland says the campaign against the company's plans to build an incinerator at Portland Port will be "robustly defended."

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

The plan was initially refused by Dorset Council, prompting an appeal - and a public inquiry.
Portland waste incinerator protest in Weymouth (Image: Cristiano Magaglio)

Mr Hatton said: “I am frustrated and disappointed with the recent appeal decision to grant planning permission for an incinerator.

“I am continuing to do everything I can to oppose the proposals to build an incinerator. And I will do everything I can to block a permit being granted by the Environment Agency for these proposals.

“So far I have written to and had multiple conversations with the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Minister of State for Nature to outline my objections in the clearest possible terms. I have also outlined my objections to building an incinerator so close to a built-up residential area.

“I have also called upon the Government to introduce a nationwide moratorium on the construction of new waste incinerators, so we can transition away from this dirty energy source for good.

“I have been in touch with the Minister of State for Prisons and Probation, raising my concerns about the proximity of HMP The Verne to the proposed incinerator. I have asked him to look closely at the proposals and to intervene where necessary. 

“I have written to and had conversations with the Minister responsible for UNESCO to underline my objections to building an incinerator on the edge of our UNESCO World Heritage Site.

“I have met with the Chief Executive at Portland Port to outline my objections on behalf of our community in the strongest possible terms. I made it clear that these proposals are deeply damaging to the reputation of Portland Port and I have urged the Port to instead prioritise renewable energy alternatives.

“I have also met with the National Sailing Academy, Dorset Wildlife Trust and other local groups to coordinate our objections to these proposals." 

Mr Hatton added: “Finally, I am regularly meeting with a number of local campaign groups - including the Portland Association - to lend my support where I can to the legal challenge to the proposals to build an incinerator.

“There is no business case, no community case, and no environmental case for an incinerator to be built. I will continue to oppose an incinerator at every turn.“