Westbury’s hopes for a halt to the controversial waste incinerator have been dashed, as the new government confirmed it would not be reversing its stance on waste incineration.
In recent communications to Westbury Town Council and White Horse News, the government made it clear that there are no plans to block or review the development of waste incinerators, including those with planning permission, such as the one planned for Westbury.
The decision comes as a significant disappointment to local campaigners and the town council, who had hoped that the change in government might bring a shift in policy. Last year, a government inspector controversially approved the construction of a waste incinerator in Westbury, sparking widespread local opposition due to concerns about air quality, the environmental impact and increased traffic.
Deputy mayor of Westbury, Cllr Mark Bailey, expressed his dismay at the government’s response. “This is very depressing and disappointing news, and I personally had hoped for better from the incoming government,” he said.
Cllr Bailey had written to the Secretary of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) on 9th July, urging the new Labour government to honour a pledge made by the Conservative Party to halt the construction of new incinerators, even those with already granted planning permission and environmental permits where substantial building had not yet commenced. The response did not offer the reassurances that many in Westbury had hoped for.
“On August 21st I received a response from Mary Creagh MP, the Minister responsible for waste policy,” said Cllr Bailey. “She did not directly address my questions but disappointingly, confirmed that the Labour government see incineration as part of the management of residual waste and consider it ‘preferable to disposal in landfill’ so we can assume they have no plans to stop incineration and the burning of waste, although they will ‘consider the role of waste incineration’ as part of a move towards a circular economy.
“She also pointed out that all EfW (Energy from Waste) plants are regulated by the Environment Agency, however we know from the problems with the current waste plant how ineffective they can be, so this information is hardly reassuring.
“This is very depressing and disappointing news, and I personally had hoped for better from the incoming government.”
White Horse News has also contacted DEFRA, but the government’s stance remained firm. Press officer James Langley said, “The government is committed to reducing waste by moving the country towards a circular economy. As part of this we will consider the role of waste incineration and both the threat and opportunity this poses for circularity, economic growth, and net zero.”
He declined to answer direct questions on whether the government is considering a moratorium on the construction of new waste incinerators, if the government will review and potentially revoke previously granted approvals for new incinerators and how the government reconciles the role of incineration with its goals for achieving net zero emissions.
When asked about the temporary pause on issuing environmental permits for new incinerators, which was announced by Sir Mark Spencer, the Minister of State at Defra under the previous government, James Langley confirmed that the pause ended on 24th May 2024, and that no further directions have been issued to the Environment Agency.
The government’s refusal to reconsider its position leaves Westbury facing the stark reality that the incinerator project will proceed as planned. But the town council remains committed to holding the developers, NREL, to the highest standards and continuing to voice the concerns of Westbury’s residents.
Cllr Bailey added, “Westbury Town Council will continue to oppose the incinerator and do all within our powers to offer the residents of Westbury the best possible support by working to ensure that, if the incinerator is eventually built, NREL are held to the highest standards and follow all the regulations laid down in the Environmental Permits. Our new air monitors are already in place to assist us in this.”
