Portland Town Council and Weymouth Town Council are working in partnership on behalf of residents to raise concerns about plans for an incinerator on Portland.
Both councils have raised objections to the proposals, which are available to view on Dorset Council’s website. And now the councils are reminding residents that time is running out to comment on an application for an environmental permit, which closes on Wednesday 22nd September.
The consultation is available on the Environment Agency’s website at https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/psc/dt5-1pp-powerfuel-portland-limited/
Recently, the town councils joined forces to fund a review of the operating permit which is a legal requirement that a company must have in place to run this type of plant.
The legal review enables environmental and technical experts to closely review the application and prepare a formal challenge where grounds exist.
Portland Town Council’s Chairman Carralyn Parkes said: “Doing nothing is not an option, as the consequences of failing to act now could burden the wellbeing of many generations to come. Our over-riding priority in committing funding to this review is the serious potential health risks to Portland residents, and neighbours in surrounding areas, as well as potential damage to sensitive, specially-designated marine and coastal environments.”
Weymouth Town Council agreed to jointly fund this review, contributing £20,000 of the £40,000 costs at the beginning of this month.
Weymouth Town Council Mayor Colin Huckle said: “Working in partnership with Portland Town Council, Weymouth Town Council agreed to contribute £20,000 in match-funding towards an independent review of the incinerator operating permit. This decision was supported at September’s Full Council meeting because we recognise there is a pressing need to scrutinise these proposals for the benefit of residents in both Weymouth and Portland.”
Portland and Weymouth, as neighbouring councils, feel strongly that they need to work closely to do their absolute best for residents because any negative effect from the proposed incinerator, such as emissions, noise or significant traffic increases would impact on everyone living and working along this beautiful coastline.
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