Olympic sailors say they may leave their training base at Portland if a controversial incinerator is built nearby.

In a letter to Environment Secretary Steve Reed, decorated competitive sailors - including multiple Olympians - based at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy have raised concerns over the construction of Powerfuel's waste incinerator at Portland Port.

They claim the incinerator - which has been given planning permission despite fierce opposition - poses a "grave threat to the future of sailing in the UK".

Powerfuel says modern incinerators such as the one earmarked for Portland are tightly regulated and monitored to ensure they operate safely.

The athletes' letter - which includes signatures from Olympic champion kitesurfer Ellie Aldridge,  double bronze Olympic windsurfer Emma Wilson and many more - claim the incinerator could damage the clean air and water the athletes require to be at the top of their sport.

Read the full letter at the bottom of this article.

The sailing academy, next to some of best boating waters in the world, was chosen to host the sailing events of both the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012 and continues to be a world class training venue attracting top athletes.

The joint letter says: "The plans to build an incinerator raise significant environmental and health concerns, which we believe would harm the quality of Portland’s sailing facilities. As elite athletes, our daily training relies on clean air and water. We fear that the damage posed by an incinerator could force us to consider leaving Portland altogether."

Plans for the incinerator were refused unanimously by Dorset Council in March 2023 over concerns about potential damage to the region’s heritage landscape, as well as for a lack of compliance with local waste plans.

However, the decision was overturned by the government in September 2024 following an appeal by developer Powerfuel Portland, which led to a public inquiry.

A protest against the incinerator in Weymouth earlier this month attracted hundreds of people, including from the sailing team.

As well as concerns about the environment and effect on public health, opponents are worried about the impact on tourism, the incinerator's position on the Jurassic Coast, and the amount of lorries that would travel through the area.

The Stop Portland Waste Incinerator (SPWI) campaign group has filed a legal claim challenging the decision to grant planning permission.

The group has so far managed to raise over £70,000 to support the legal challenge. 

Giles Frampton, Director, Powerfuel Portland, said: "A three week public inquiry held last December included extensive discussion and evidence on all planning aspects of the project. The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government undertook a thorough review of the Inspector's report, agreed with its findings and recommendation, and granted planning permission in September. 

“Over a three-year period, the Environment Agency has reviewed all environmental permitting impacts of the project, including air quality and health impacts. Powerfuel is not aware of any concerns and expects the permit to be issued before the end of the year. Modern energy recovery facilities (ERFs), such as the one proposed at Portland Port, are tightly regulated and monitored by the Environment Agency, to ensure that they operate safely and within statutory limits.

“Portland Port is an ideal location for the facility as it is a brownfield, industrial site, in a working Port. It is outside the Jurassic Coast area and UNESCO has formally confirmed there will be no impact on the geological features for which the area is inscribed as a World Heritage Site. The Portland ERF, unlike a wind turbine, will generate baseload (24/7) electricity and enable visiting ships to use shore power rather than their diesel engines, which will actually result in a general improvement in air quality in the area as evidenced by the technical analysis submitted contrary to others claims. In her decision letter, the Secretary of State recognises the competitive advantage the project will deliver for Portland Port and noted that if ships utilise the shore power and switch off their engines this would lead to an improvement in ambient air quality. 

"Regarding recent comments made by the Leader of Dorset Council we would respectfully note that Dorset currently exports all of its residual waste out of County to other facilities in England and its own Development Plan recognises a project of this type is needed within the County. Continuing the current approach, as appears to be advocated by the Leader of Dorset Council, increases costs for Dorset ratepayers and uses waste capacity in other areas, therefore effectively adding to UK landfill volumes and increasing export of waste to Europe where it is processed in similar facilities to provide electricity and heat for those countries. In our view, Dorset should take responsibility for its own waste and not rely on others."

Read more: 

Dear Steve Reed,

 

We are writing to outline our serious concerns with the proposal to build a waste incinerator at Portland Port. These proposals have recently received planning permission following a lengthy appeals process but have not yet been granted a permit by the Environment Agency.

 

If these proposals go ahead, a waste incinerator will be built next door to the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy – which was central to hosting the 2012 Olympic Games and has been home to the British Sailing Team for over a decade.

 

The unique conditions in Portland enable sailors to train in a world-class environment all year-round. There is no doubt that training in Portland has contributed to Team GB’s sailing success - winning 15 Olympic Medals since the 2012 London Olympic Games. In addition, for many of us, Portland is not just a training base but also our home.

 

The plans to build an incinerator raise significant environmental and health concerns, which we believe would harm the quality of Portland’s sailing facilities. As elite athletes, our daily training relies on clean air and water. We fear that the damage posed by an incinerator could force us to consider leaving Portland altogether.

 

Portland is more than just a base for British Olympic sailors; it is also an international hub for sailing. The Academy hosts a broad range of activities, from major regattas to training for youth and junior sailors. An incinerator risks tarnishing our world-renowned reputation and would jeopardise our status as a host for future sporting events.

 

Separately, we remain concerned that building an incinerator on Portland would put our cherished UNESCO World Heritage Site status at risk. Going forward, it remains critical that the Jurassic Coast does not lose this important status.

 

We urge you to take all necessary steps to stop a waste incinerator being built next door to the national home of sailing. We firmly believe that an incinerator has no place here and poses a grave threat to the future of sailing in the UK.

 

We would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss how we can find a positive way forward.