Consett incinerator plans rejected by High Court

The energy plant in Consett faced opposition from the council and campaigners

Plans for a waste incinerator in Consett have been rejected by the High Court.

Developers Project Genesis wanted to build the energy plant but faced opposition from the council and campaigners.

Rejecting the appeal, Mr Justice Fordam said he was not persuaded by any of the arguments the developers had entered.

Project Genesis said the decision was "extremely disappointing" and accused protest groups of "scaremongering".

The High Court refusal centred around the significant harm to the character and appearance of the landscape, and how it would impact public health and housing demand. 

Planning permission for the £45m incinerator at Hownsgill Industrial Park was first rejected by Durham County Council in September 2021.

'Significant win'

Project Genesis argued the energy centre would prevent rubbish from being buried in landfill and generate cheap, environmentally friendly power.

The company lodged several appeals, the latest being heard in the High Court.

At the hearing in January, Project Genesis argued the Planning Inspector and Secretary of State both reached different interpretations in relation to the impact it would have on the area.

Project Genesis wanted to build the plant at Hownsgill Industrial Park

There were four agreed issues in the case, relating to benefits, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Mr Justice Fordam said: "I have not been persuaded by the developer's claim, on any of the four issues."

Richard Holden, Conservative MP for North West Durham, described it as a "significant win for local people".

"I commend the local councillors and campaign groups, including 'Say No to Consett Incinerator', for their dedication," he said.

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Project Genesis said it was "extremely disappointing" and said "political interference and the 'Not In My Back Yard' culture" had "dominated" the planning decision.

It accused the opposition group of spreading "misinformation and scaremongering among the local community".

The group Say No To Consett Incinerator said: "The people said no, the council said no, the government said no, and now the judge has said no."