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Incinerator Heat Burning
(July 01, 2021)The heat is stepping up on Wiltshire Council’s Strategic Planning Committee which voted by seven votes to four to approve planning permission for an energy-from-waste moving-grate incinerator in Westbury.
A burning issue not just for those in the ‘white horse’ town but for neighbouring communities.
Local MP Andrew Murrison had already written to the Secretary of State Robert Jenrick MP and his Department’s Planning Casework Unit to ‘call in’ the proposal – a request which can be made up until the relevant planning authority makes its decision.
“We still have the opportunity to stop this carbon-belching monster,” said Dr. Andrew Murrison
“Any final decision is still some way off. I will be writing to the Secretary of State clearly outlining my, and my constituents , main concerns with this proposal.
“I will also be seeking a meeting with him, where, hopefully, local stakeholders will also be able to engage and put forward their points of view.”
Warminster town councillor Paul Macdonald is backing the MP and will ask that this decision, which saw a Warminster councillor let the town down, is debated.
“I will be asking our council to review how they can help overturn this decision including preparing a local representation if the government do ask that an independent Inspector of planning permissions is appointed,” said Paul.
“The good news is that we have one elected member who is prepared to listen to well founded representations.”
The MP believes two different options relating to the appeal against the approved decision are on the cards.
In the first scenario, the Secretary of State will decide to call in the decision – this would be justified on the basis that the proposal is of national, rather than just local, significance.
An inquiry would then take place run by by the Planning Inspectorate. The Inspector has to make a report and recommendation to the Secretary of State under the circumstances existing at the time he or she makes it.
The office of Andrew Murrison MP has not yet received a letter.
The MP has discovered that a judicial review can be initiated or the Environment Agency, who are in the process of deciding whether to grant a permit for operations at the plant, will accept an appeal.
This route would be pursued if the Secretary of State decides not to call in the application - it should be noted that Secretaries of State only call a few applications in every year.