Campaigners fighting Wisbech incinerator hopeful as government lifts ban
A temporary pause on permits for new incinerators has been removed
A campaign group is holding hope that an upcoming general election could lead to plans for an incinerator in Wisbech being stalled.
That's despite a temporary pause on issuing permits to new incinerator sites being removed by the government, after it assessed whether incinerators are environmentally friendly, but the findings have not been published.
The £300m site on Algores Way was approved by Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho, but has faced criticism from local councils and campaigners.
Ginny Bucknor is from the Wisbech Without Incineration group:
"Unfortunately, because the general election has been called, we are not being given answers and after four-and-a-half years of campaigning, we're in a terrible situation," she said.
"(The delay in decision is causing) more stress, more anxiety because we're not being given the information, but I'm hoping by not telling us anything, it means everything is on hold until after the election, but we don't know.
What has the government said?
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said a temporary ban, which prevented the Environment Agency from issuing permits for new incinerators to be built, expired on 24th May.
Last month, Environment Minister Sir Mark Spencer made the decision to impose the ban after Environment Secretary Steve Barclay, whose the MP for North East Cambridgeshire where the Wisbech incinerator would be built, recused himself from the final decision.
Defra has told Greatest Hits Radio that "no further direction has been issued to the Environment Agency in relation to waste incinerators".
"I'm absolutely shocked"
Ms Bucknor said the effect of an incinerator on the Wisbech community may not be fully understood.
"I'm absolutely shocked because there appears to be a lack of understanding on the impact this has in Wisbech; surrounding this proposed mega incinerator are many factories, homes and schools," she added.
"I cannot imagine the distress this is causing everybody, but particularly food factories in the area, major factories that supply Britain with their food."
The Environment Agency and MVV Environmental Ltd, the company behind the Wisbech incinerator, have been contacted for comment.