Avonmouth incinerator: Bid to stop plans dismissed

A High Court challenge against plans for a waste incinerator in the Avonmouth area of Bristol has failed.

The Viridor Waste Management scheme was turned down by Bristol City Council but the firm appealed the decision.

The matter was then referred from a public inquiry to the government which approved it. The council's High Court bid to block it then failed.

Viridor said it was "pleased" while the council said it was "surprised and disappointed" by the decision.

Planning officials at the council had previously recommended the 20-acre "resource recovery centre" should be approved.

But in June 2010 all seven members of the council's Development Control panel rejected the scheme, which would have dealt with about 300,000 tonnes of waste a year.

The Liberal Democrat-controlled authority argued there was already sufficient capacity and the plant was not needed.

Viridor said it was pleased the challenge was dismissed and said it would commence work on the site as soon as possible.

Councillor Anthony Negus said he "felt the decision was wrong" and added the cost of the appeal was about £20,000.