Swindon & Wiltshire News
Westbury waste incinerator given go-ahead
Plans for a waste incinerator on the outskirts of Westbury have been given the go-ahead.
The approval came from the government’s Planning Inspectorate after Northacre Renewable Energy Limited lodged an appeal against the refusal of planning permission by Wiltshire Council.
The plant – at Northacre Trading Estate – will generate energy by burning 243,000 tonnes of household refuse every year.
The plans were opposed by many residents, and by constituency MP Andrew Murrison.
Wiltshire Council’s Strategic Planning Committee voted against approving the planning application in July last year. The Planning Inspectorate’s decision means construction of the plant can now go ahead.
Delivering his decision, planning inspector Stephen Normington wrote: “There is a clear need for new treatment capacity in the region to divert Wiltshire’s residual
waste away from landfill or to avoid this being exported considerable distance.”
He added the construction of the site would represent approximately £200 million in capital investment and provide up to 450 jobs. Once constructed the site would support 89 jobs and contribute £2.77 million annually in economic benefits.
It would also “provide for a source of low carbon and partially renewable electrical energy of 25.6 MW which would make a contribution to base load electricity and would have the potential to export heat to nearby users.”
