Sinfin incinerator plan refusal is overturned

The judge said the Planning Inspector had not considered wider waste strategy issues

A court has overruled a decision to block construction of a waste incinerator in Derby.

Developers Resource Recovery Solutions (RRS) wanted to build the facility on Sinfin Lane, Sinfin, to deal with 190,000 tonnes of waste a year.

In November the planning inspector turned down the scheme, saying it would have a negative impact on traffic, air quality and people's living conditions.

Now the High Court has overturned this, opening the way for a new inquiry.

The plans provoked fierce opposition from some local residents and were also turned down by the city council.

After a 12-day public inquiry, the planning inspector rejected the scheme, despite accepting there were no major health risks.

RRS appealed this and now the High Court in London has thrown out the refusal.

Mrs Justice Nicola Davies said the inspector had not sufficiently considered regional needs and strategies for dealing with waste.

If RRS, which has a 27-year contract to deal with the county's waste, decides to press ahead with the scheme, there will now have to be a fresh public inquiry before a different planning inspector.