Veolia abandons Hertfordshire Barnfield incinerator plan

Hertfordshire County Council said it spent nearly £6m supporting the scheme

The company behind a £1bn incinerator project in Hertfordshire has said it will not challenge the government's decision to reject the plan.

Communities Secretary Greg Clark refused planning permission for the heat-from-waste burner at New Barnfield, near Hatfield, in July.

In a statement, Veolia said it would "not seek to further challenge that refusal".

An earlier government refusal was ruled illegal by the High Court in January.

Government planning inspectors had originally turned down the huge processing plant on green belt land, saying it was an "inappropriate" development.

Hertfordshire County Council, which spent nearly £6m supporting the project, argued it was needed as an alternative to landfill.

The plan for the incinerator on green belt land provoked opposition

Veolia appealed against the refusal and won by claiming government rules on planning and waste had been ignored.

Mr Justice Holgate at the High Court said the then Secretary of State, Mr Pickles, got it wrong in balancing harm to the green belt with the need for the incinerator and the refusal must be reconsidered.

'Some satisfaction'

A Veolia spokesman has now said: "Following a legal review of the decision made by the Secretary of State in July to refuse planning permission for the New Barnfield Recycling and Energy Recovery Facility, and after consideration by our Board, Veolia will not seek to further challenge that refusal."

A Hertfordshire County Council spokesman said: "The council has noted the decision of Veolia not to challenge the refusal of planning permission made by the Secretary of State in July 2015 and will, in due course, discuss with the local planning authority the future use of its holdings at New Barnfield."

Leader of Welwyn and Hatfield Borough Council John Dean,said many residents could "take some satisfaction" with Veolia's decision.

"We are not opposed to 'energy from waste' in principle and we will continue to work with our colleagues at Hertfordshire County Council to find more appropriate solutions," he said.