Furious campaigners have slammed plans to build a £150million waste incinerator in Dorset. (Image: Getty)
Furious campaigners have slammed plans to build a £150million waste incinerator in , fearing it could destroy the stunning .
Locals say the 264ft-tall (80 metres) chimney stack will be a “scar on the landscape” and put the area’s World Heritage status at risk. Despite overwhelming opposition from Dorset Council, MPs, and conservation groups, has given the project the green light.
The facility, set to burn household and commercial waste 24 hours a day, will sit on Portland Isle, in the heart of only natural UNESCO World Heritage Site. Critics warn it could harm tourism, the environment, and local businesses that rely on the coast’s natural beauty.
Dorset Council had rejected the proposal, only for the decision to be overturned following an appeal from developers Powerfuel Portland.
Experts argue the incinerator could breach UNESCO guidelines, which aim to protect World Heritage Sites from developments that may cause irreversible damage.
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World Heritage Watch, an independent body, expressed deep concern over the Government’s approval. (Image: Getty)
World Heritage Watch, an independent body, expressed deep concern over the Government’s approval. They have urged the Government to reconsider, stating the project could have long-lasting negative impacts.
Residents and conservationists have also raised concerns about air pollution and traffic. They fear up to 80 lorries a day could clog already congested roads, while harmful emissions from the incinerator could drift towards residential areas.
Campaigner and Olympic sailor Laura Baldwin who lives with her 11-year-old son at the end of the closest road to the incinerator told Express.co.uk that locals are “angered and distressed” by the decision, which she branded as “environmental vandalism.”
The Jurassic Coast is a 95-mile stretch of shoreline renowned for its fossil-rich cliffs, drawing thousands of tourists each year. Sam Scriven, from the Jurassic Coast Trust, voiced disappointment at the decision, stressing that the incinerator would tarnish the coast’s unique setting. He added that the trust would continue to fight to protect the area’s heritage.
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Experts argue the incinerator could breach UNESCO guidelines. (Image: Getty)
Local MP Lloyd Hatton has vowed to fight the project, describing it as “a disastrous decision for South Dorset.” He said he’s yet to meet anyone who supports the incinerator, and he will do everything possible to block it.
Meanwhile, campaigners are preparing for a legal battle and have set up a crowdfunding page to explore the possibility of a judicial review.
Speaking to , the campaigners behind a group called ‘Stop Portland Waste Incinerator’ said: “Tens of thousands of people are feeling distressed and desperate for our government to reverse this terrible decision by calling a moratorium on new environmental permits for waste incinerators and revoke permits for those yet to be built.
“Stop Portland Waste Incinerator campaign team have worked tirelessly for 5 years this November to protect all residents living within 10km and especially those living as close as 500m away and 10m above the top of the chimney. We’ve campaigned to protect the aspiring youth and world-class sailors training hard both on and off the water as Portland is home to the national training centre and was the venue of the 2012 Olympics.
“Then there are the school children in the three schools directly on the side of Portland Road where HGV’s would rumble through Wyke every nine minutes across the already congested single road to Portland. We’ve defended the businesses dependent on tourism and our natural environment.”
Ms Baldwin added: “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.”
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government told Express.co.uk in a statement: “In line with the recommendation from the independent planning inspector, ministers have granted planning permission for an energy recovery facility at Portland Port. The full reasons for this are set out in the ”