Campaigners left unsettled over Wisbech incinerator decision
An update from one council opposed to the plans is due to be made
Last updated 28th Mar 2024
A campaigner against plans to build an incinerator in Wisbech say uncertainty around the decision to give it the go-ahead has been "unsettling".
Fenland District Council, which opposes the move, is due to give an update today after it announced its plans to launch a legal challenge against the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero's decision to approve the incinerator last month.
It comes as Environment Secretary Steve Barclay apologised for not stepping away sooner from any decision on whether or not a permit should be granted for the proposed incinerator.
The incinerator lies in Mr Barclay's constituency of North East Cambridgeshire.
"The uncertainty has been very unsettling for the town"
Helen Pentelow runs a business close to where the waste plant would be built off Algores Way.
"To grant permission to build one of the biggest incinerators in Europe is still quite mind-boggling," she said.
"The uncertainty has been very unsettling for the town as a whole and it begs the question whether the whole process has been dealt with correctly.
"Our own MP who we relied on to get us out of this mess can no longer represent his own constituents on the biggest thing to happen to our town possibly in its history; it's quite unbelievable."
Concerns over conflict of interest
Speaking at the Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee on Tuesday, Mr Barclay said he had been "clear throughout that I need to step back from any decision" but had not realised that he needed to formally recuse himself from the decision until later.
Officials had raised concerns about a possible or perceived conflict between Mr Barclay's constituency and ministerial roles in relation to the incinerator.
In order for the plant to operate, it will require a permit from the Environment Agency (EA).
An EA spokesperson said it's still in the consultation stage and the results will be known in due course.
The spokesperson added: "We will not issue an environmental permit if a proposed plant would give rise to significant pollution of the environment or harm to human health."
There have also been doubts over how a decision to approve the incinerator was made.
Reports suggest the decision was made by junior energy minister Lord Callanan while Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho, who's thought to have wanted to overturn this, was abroad.
A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson said: “Clarification was sought on whether the decision-making process had been properly followed, rather than to overturn any decision.
"Ultimately, it was agreed that it had, and the relevant documentation was reinstated on the website.”
Campaigners not giving up the fight
Helen said hope is not lost in trying to overturn the incinerator plans.
"Judicial reviews are very costly, but we believe there are many strong arguments to suggest the process was not carried out correctly," she added.
"Campaigners continue to fight; we believe there will be over capacity with further incinerators that have been approved but not yet received permits."