King's Lynn incinerator: Waste would have to be brought in

Waste might have to be imported into Norfolk to keep a proposed incinerator going, a public inquiry has been told.

The inquiry into the energy-from-waste plant at King's Lynn has already been told the proposed site is too remote.

Waste expert John Hollister has now said the government's latest estimates show that with recycling, the amount of municipal waste is falling.

The Saddlebow plant would be designed to create electricity by burning about 250,000 tonnes of waste a year.

Supporters of the plan claim Norfolk is running out of space for landfill.

Central location

The plans are backed by Norfolk County Council (NCC), but opposed by West Norfolk Borough Council.

Mr Hollister said without waste supplies from other local authorities in the county, where recycling and efficiency are increasing, the cost of transport would increase considerably.

He said King's Lynn was too far away from Norwich and Great Yarmouth where most rubbish is generated.

A new waste plant should be in a central location, he concluded.

It is anticipated the inquiry will last until 19 April and Communities Secretary Eric Pickles is expected to announce a decision on the project in the summer.