Construction starting on new waste incinerator

The waste incinerator will be built in an industrial area of Wisbech

Construction of a controversial new waste incinerator is expected to start towards the end of October.

The incinerator, which will have a chimney higher than Ely Cathedral, will be built in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire.

MVV Environment, the company behind the plans, said the £300m plant on the Algores Way industrial estate would recover energy in the form of electricity and steam from more than 0.5 million tonnes of non-recyclable household, commercial and industrial waste each year.

Helen Pentelow, a local business owner, felt it was a "disaster for the town" adding construction traffic and vehicles would have a negative effect on business.

There had been local opposition to the incinerator in Wisbech

Despite opposition from residents, councillors and local Conservative MP Steve Barclay, development consent for the facility was granted in February last year, and an environmental permit in May.

Preparatory construction work began in February this year.

Campaigners had long opposed the plans, and raised concerns about lorry traffic and how close the incinerator would be to a school.

Ms Pentelow, from WEP Powder coating, near to the incinerator site, told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire she had campaigned against it for about six years.

"Planning was unbelievably granted despite huge public backlash and now it will go ahead," she said.

"My opinion hasn't changed in that it will be an absolute disaster for Wisbech and unfortunately Wisbech is a declining town as it is at the moment."

She also raised concerns about the impact the site would have on people's health and the "busy road network".

MVV Environment said it would take about three years to complete construction and the site could employ up to 700 people during the build.

Paul Carey, managing director of MVV Environment, said there would be lots of opportunity for local businesses to become involved in the project.

He added that monthly community group meetings had been held since January to keep people informed on the works.