New Barnfield incinerator put on hold by government

Development of a new incinerator in Hertfordshire has been stopped while the government decides if the planning decision should be called in.

Hertfordshire County Council agreed plans for an energy-from-waste plant at New Barnfield near Hatfield in October.

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has now issued a "holding direction" to the council.

This stops developers Veolia moving forward until Secretary of State Eric Pickles makes a decision.

Councillor Ian Reay said: "This is a complex application and it's not surprising that they need a further period to consider the proposal."

A spokesman from the DCLG confirmed the incinerator plan was the subject of an Article 25 holding direction but there was "no timescale on when a decision will be made".