Residents fight hazardous waste incinerator plan

The company behind the Heighington incinerator said it had exceeded environmental rules

Residents have hit out at plans for an incinerator to burn hazardous and clinical waste at a location near to schools, nurseries and homes.

The facility, on Heighington Lane in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, has already been built by Fornax North East but now requires an environmental permit.

Hannah-Lucy Jackson, who lives in Heighington, said she did not want her community to become the next waste "horror story", while her MP urged people to take part in an Environment Agency online consultation running until 27 June.

But Fornax North East said the facility had been "designed and built to meet, and indeed exceed, all UK and EU rules".

Durham County Council approved planning permission for the incinerator on 5 December 2022 following an appeal.

Resident Hannah-Lucy Jackson is fighting against the incinerator

Ms Jackson said: "We have gathered a group together to try and prevent this permit from being granted."

She argued there had been a "lack of transparency" which "is scaring people because it is very close to schools, nurseries and care homes".

"The incinerator will be operating between 8am and 10pm, it will impact people living in a 12-mile radius with a devastating impact on their health and the environment," she claimed.

"It is designed to burn 10,500 tonnes of hazardous and clinical waste annually, which will release dangerous pollutants including dioxins which are known to cause cancer."

'Fears unfounded'

But Ian Jones, CEO of Fornax, said: "Our new facility in Newton Aycliffe has already undergone extensive scrutiny and was approved by the Planning Inspectorate following a planning inquiry in 2022.

"During this process, residents' concerns were carefully considered and addressed by the government's planning inspector.

"The facility has been designed and built to meet, and indeed exceed, all UK and EU rules on air emissions, odour control and habitat protection, which is all covered in the permit application.

"The fears concerning the impact that this facility would have on air quality and future employment uses are entirely unfounded, as stated in the planning inspectors report."

Alan Strickland, Labour MP for Newton Aycliffe, urged people to respond to the Environment Agency consultation.

He said: "I'll be submitting a response to highlight the many issues raised by our community."

Meanwhile, Great Aycliffe Town Council said it was "vigorously opposing" the permit "on the grounds of serious concerns over long-term effects on health from emissions and the possibility of odour pollution".

The Environment Agency said regulatory controls were in place to protect people and the environment.

A spokesperson said: "We may only refuse a permit application if it does not meet the legal requirements under environmental legislation, including if it will have an unacceptable impact on the environment or harm human health.

"We understand there is local interest in the proposed site and we welcome comments from the public and interested groups on environmental factors that people feel are important."