Plans for waste incinerator for Dorset that will burn 260,000 tonnes of rubbish a year
It would generate energy that would be turned into electricity for the National Grid
Plans have been submitted to build a waste incinerator in Dorset.
The Environment Agency has today launched a consultation into an environmental permit application for an incinerator in Canford Magna.
MVV Environment Ltd has applied for the permit to operate an incinerator on the Canford Resource Park and has separately also applied to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council for planning permission.
The company wants to burn up to 260,000 tonnes of non-hazardous waste each year in an incinerator known as an Energy from Waste Combined Heat and Power facility.
The proposed facility will burn waste to produce energy in the form of electricity. Power from this process will be exported to the National Grid.
An environmental permit sets the conditions which MVV Environment Ltd must meet when operating the proposed incinerator. It covers the management and operation of the site and the control and monitoring of emissions.
Issues that we consider in deciding on the permit are:
• Relevant environmental regulatory requirements and technical standards.
• Information on local population and sensitive sites.
• Protection of human and environmental health.
• Comments on whether the right process is being used for the activity, for example, whether the technology is the right one.
• Pollution control and any emissions to air, land and water.
• Whether energy generated by waste incineration is recovered as much as possible.
• Handling and storage of waste.
• The impact of noise and odour from traffic on site.
• Plans to deal with litter and vermin on site.
• Any permit conditions that may be needed.
The Environment Agency says it will consult with partner organisations, including the UK Health Security Agency, as part of the process.
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said:
"Issues such as suitability of the site, operating hours and traffic management to and from it, are matters for the planning authority, not the Environment Agency.
"The Environment Agency can only consider issues covered by the environmental permit and can only refuse a permit application based on technical information. However, in order to build and operate the proposed incinerator, the company will need to be granted both planning permission and an environmental permit.
"To obtain an environmental permit, the company will need to show they are putting in place the necessary measures to meet current standards to protect human health and the environment. In addition, they must explain how any risks that are identified, such as odour and emissions, are prevented or minimised, alongside producing a Fire Prevention Plan."
Once the consultation closes, the Environment Agency will review all the comments received before reaching a draft decision.
If you wish to make comments about the application, you need to do so by 23.59 on 27 October, 2024.