Westbury MP Andrew Murrison is asking Wiltshire Council to reflect the views of residents who oppose the incinerator after the Government confirmed there will be no further parliamentary debate on his Bill.
Dr Murrison had introduced his Waste Incinerators Bill in an attempt to reduce the use of waste incinerators and stop new facilities being built. The Bill also sought to remove “deliver or pay” clauses in local authority contracts, which require councils to supply a set amount of waste for incineration or face financial penalties.
However, in a letter dated 30th June, Minister Mary Creagh MP confirmed the Government would not revoke existing planning consents for energy-from-waste facilities and did not believe a further parliamentary debate was required.
Following the Government’s response, Dr Murrison said Wiltshire Council should now act to reflect the views of local residents who oppose the incinerator.
He said, “Wiltshire Council now needs to step up and start reflecting the views of those in Westbury and district it purports to represent.
“Bald truth is that the incinerator will only happen if Wiltshire Council commits to putting business its way. Otherwise, the money case falls away and investors pull out. Result – no incinerator and lots of happy residents. It’s as simple as that.”
Planning permission for a Westbury incinerator was initially approved by Wiltshire Council in 2019. In July 2022, following widespread community opposition, the council indicated it would refuse a second revised application that used different technology, but after the developer appealed, a government planning inspector granted planning permission for the scheme on 21st February 2023.
Northacre Renewable Energy, the company behind the incinerator, plans for the plant to be fully operational by 2028.
