Fenland Council votes to seek legal advice over Wisbech incinerator

It's looking to potentially challenge the Government's decision to approve it

Author: Abi SimpsonPublished 27th Feb 2024

Fenland District Council have voted unanimously to seek legal advice for a potential legal challenge over the Government's decision to approve the Wisbech incinerator project.

Councillors decided at a meeting last night that they would look into challenging the Secretary of State's decision to green light the £300 million controversial incinerator.

If built it would be one of the biggest of its kind in Europe, creating up to 700 jobs during construction.

But campaigners are concerned about the impact on the environment and local infrastructure.

MPs and local councils, including Cambridgeshire County Council, have previously shared their concerns over the plans.

In a letter to Ms Coutinho ahead of the decision, Environment Secretary and North West Cambridgeshire Steve Barclay said the "size of the facility is unsuitable for the area" and highlighted other worries around the impact on health and traffic.

Former Prime Minister and South West Norfolk MP Liz Truss, whose constituency lies near the Wisbech site, has also opposed the move.

Last year Paul Carey, managing director at MVV Environmental Limited which is behind the project, said the company has made "a strong commitment to achieving net zero by 2040 and to be climate positive thereafter".

MVV Environmental Limited added it looks to "create a new business for Wisbech to avoid transporting the waste overseas and to generate decentralised, and in part, renewable energy for local businesses."

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