Incinerator Approved

14 October 2011, 15:42 | Updated: 14 October 2011, 16:50

Despite community campaigning against the plans, Covanta have been granted permission to operate a waste burning incinerator from Rookery South Pit near Stewartby in Bedfordshire.

The incinerator will burn around 585,000 tonnes of household and commercial waste every year. Burning the waste will generate electricity used to power 82,500 homes.

The Marston Moreteyne Action Group has been campaigning against the planned incinerator near Stewertby. The group Chairman Hugh Roberts says that he is deeply disappointed by the approval. The group are concerned about the pollution from the incinerator and are worried the community will be burdened by lorry’s going up and down their roads.

Covanta Energy will operate the site they are one of the world’s largest owners and operators of infrastructure converting waste to energy. They are pleased with the decision and say the local community will benefit from employment opportunities: "The Rookery South Resource Recovery Facility will create major employment during construction and long term jobs with the ongoing operation of the Facility."

The approval came from The Infrastructure Planning Commission, an independent body that examines applications for nationally significant infrastructure projects. Hugh Roberts says The Marston Moreteyne Action Group will look at how the IPC came to their decision and will be considering an appeal: “If there is an avenue we can take we will take it, it’s a lot better than the consequences of living with this for the next 35 years”

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