Council has 'no plans' to use waste incinerator

A council leader has said there are no plans for his authority to send any of its waste to a proposed incinerator.

Nick Ireland said he wanted to restate Dorset Council's "clear and longstanding opposition" to the planned waste incinerator at Portland, near the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.

Powerfuel Portland has permission to build an energy recovery facility at Portland Port but has said it would not result in an increased risk to the environment.

An application by the company last year, seeking to vary its environmental permit to include dozens more waste types, attracted hundreds of objections, including from Dorset Council.

Residents have also marched in protest against the plans.

The facility will burn refuse-derived fuel from domestic, commercial and industrial non-hazardous waste.

Ireland said: "The council has consistently opposed the incinerator from the outset, including refusing the original planning application and continuing to raise serious concerns through environmental permitting processes.

"That position has not changed.

"Dorset does not want or need this incinerator. The council believes it is in the wrong place, next to a World Heritage coastline, and does not align with Dorset's waste strategy or wider environmental ambitions.

"The council also wants to be absolutely clear that Dorset Council is not in any discussions with Powerfuel and there are no plans for Dorset's waste to be sent to the Portland incinerator.

"Claims or suggestions to the contrary are incorrect."

Dorset Council said it had waste arrangements in place and was focused on "reducing waste, increasing recycling and moving towards more sustainable solutions".

Permission for the incinerator was rejected by Dorset Council in 2023 but the decision was overturned by the government in 2024 following an appeal.

A legal challenge by campaigners was dismissed by the Court of Appeal in November.

Ireland said the council would "continue to speak up for residents and to challenge proposals we believe pose unacceptable risks to public health, the environment and Dorset's reputation as a special place".