Councils give green light to city incinerator plan

Opponents say there are cleaner, greener and cheaper alternatives to incineration

Plans for an incinerator in the centre of Plymouth have been given the go-ahead.

Devon County Council, Torbay Council and Plymouth City Council all gave the green light to the plans at meetings earlier.

The incinerator will generate electricity and heat from household waste.

Charlotte Mills, from campaign group EcoIvy, said she was "very disappointed" by the decision.

Councillors from Devon County Council and Torbay Council voted unanimously in their decision for the incinerator.

Councillor Roger Croad said: "One of the paramount things is to reduce landfill and this is a superb deal."

Campaigners who opposed the plans said there were other cleaner, greener and cheaper alternatives.

The £140m contract for the incinerator was awarded to MVV Umwelt in January 2011.

The company is due to submit a planning application for an energy-from-waste plant at Devonport Naval Base's North Yard in the spring.

A month-long consultation with residents from the Plymouth and Torquay areas is currently being held.