Protesters gather at Portland incinerator inquiry

Protesters gathered outside the planning inquiry in Portland

Campaigners have been gathering at an inquiry into a proposed power plant and incinerator close to Dorset's Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.

A planning inspector is considering an appeal by Portland Powerfuel against Dorset Council's decision to refuse the £150m facility at Portland Port.

On Thursday, some of the thousands of people who objected to the scheme were given a chance to speak at the hearing.

Powerfuel said it was confident it would "get a positive outcome".

Laura Baldwin said the people of Portland felt "dumped upon"

The original application received more than 3,000 objections about extra lorry movements, the visual impact, increased fire risk, harm to the environment and the effect on public health.

Campaigner Laura Baldwin said: "We feel very dumped upon, we feel very unloved.

"To have an enormous whacking-great incinerator banged on such a beautiful coastline is such an injustice."

Fellow resident Debbie Tulett said: "We are in an area of deprivation and the cynic in me is thinking perhaps they put them [the incinerator and power plant] there because normally they [the residents] can't fight back, but I think they were taken by surprise by the response."

Residents packed the hall for the hearing in Portland

A spokesperson for Powerfuel Portland said: "Dorset does not currently have a way to manage its own waste and this facility, located on allocated employment land within Portland Port, will provide a solution to Dorset's waste issue.

"We remain confident that the wide-ranging benefits of the scheme will weigh heavily in its favour and we will get a positive outcome with our appeal being allowed."

The firm said the proposed energy recovery facility, which was refused in March, would burn waste and generate 15MW of electricity.

The three-week inquiry is due to conclude on 22 December. The inspector's recommendations will be passed to the Secretary of State in the New Year before a decision is issued.