Incinerator plans 'feel forced' - council leader

Councillor Nick Ireland has expressed his deep disappointment to the government

A council leader has written an open letter to the government expressing his "deep disappointment" that planning permission has been granted for an incinerator.

Dorset Council leader Nick Ireland said he "stands firm" with those who oppose the burning of waste on the Jurassic coastline, for environmental, economic and health reasons.

The power-generating facility at Portland Port was given the go-ahead last month by the government.

Powerfuel Portland said its plant would allow Dorset's non-recyclable waste to be "managed locally in a more sustainable way".

Ireland wrote that there is strong local feeling that government has "pushed this through without thinking through the consequences to the residents of Dorset".

BBC analysis on the burning of household waste in large incinerators found that it is now the dirtiest way that the UK generates power.

The council leader said: "The proposed incinerator has knee-capped our own net-zero ambitions."

He questioned the number of jobs the incinerator will create, the potential impact on tourism and the effect on the wider environment.

"The whole decision feels forced, ill-thought through and is one of a number of recent decisions by government that seem to ignore the needs and requirements of the residents of Portland," he added.

Ireland welcomed the "opportunity to talk in more detail on this issue" with the government as it is of "importance to our residents in South Dorset and beyond".

In approving the plans, the government previously said the incinerator would have "no harmful impact on the landscape and scenic beauty, or setting of the Dorset National Landscape" and "no injurious effect" on the Unesco Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.