Cornish incinerator plans given environmental permit

Cornwall's landfill sites are expected to be full in five years' time

Plans for an incinerator in mid-Cornwall have been granted an environmental permit.

Sita UK wants to build a waste-to-energy plant at St Dennis.

The Environment Agency said it was satisfied it could be operated so it posed no significant risk to local people or the environment.

The incinerator now needs planning permission before it can be built. A final decision on that is due from the Secretary of State in 2011.

Strict standards

Sita was refused permission to build the plant by Cornwall County Council in March 2009.

A new unitary authority, Cornwall Cornwall, took over the county council's work in April 2009.

The waste management company appealed against the county council decision in the meantime.

The project was referred to a public inquiry, which was held earlier this year. It referred the final decision on planning permission to the Secretary of State.

An announcement on the minister's decision is expected in May 2011.

If the incinerator gets planning permission, the Environment Agency said it would enforce strict emission levels and robust operating standards.

Sita believes an incinerator is the only option for Cornwall when its landfill sites close. They are expected to be full in five years' time.

The United Downs site near Redruth was closed to accepting new landfill in October. It is now a waste transfer station.

There has always been strong opposition to the incinerator. People living in and near St Dennis claim the plant is too big, poorly located and could pose health risks.