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Incinerator permit ban is a reprieve, say Wisbech residents

Getty Images Steve BarclayGetty Images
Steve Barclay opposes a proposed incinerator in his Cambridgeshire constituency

Residents who opposed a new incinerator say a government decision delaying it has been a "reprieve".

The government has temporarily banned permits for new incinerator plants in England, including the large waste-to-energy plant in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire.

After the project was granted development consent in February, Environment Secretary Steve Barclay - MP for North East Cambridge - apologised for not "formally" stepping back sooner from the decision.

Mr Barclay has been a vocal opponent of the scheme.

Residents opposing plans said the temporary ban on permits had brought them hope.

Maria Veronese/BBC David PatrickMaria Veronese/BBC
David Patrick said he thought Wisbech was "doomed"

David Patrick, 65, was opposed to MVV Environment building the facility, close to the Cambridgeshire-Norfolk border.

Following the government ban, he told the BBC: "I was so distraught with how things were going and thought Wisbech was doomed.

"This is a reprieve and hopefully we can move forward and get it stopped."

Maria Veronese/BBC Ruth Perks and Clive CobleMaria Veronese/BBC
Ruth Perks and Clive Coble are against the incinerator plans

Wisbech residents Ruth Perks and Clive Coble said they hoped the ban could stop plans altogether.

Mr Coble said: "I think today's announcement is absolutely brilliant."

Ms Perks added: "I think it should put a stop to the incinerator."

Jill Bennett/BBC Protesters opposing incinerator being built in WisbechJill Bennett/BBC
A protest against a new incinerator for Wisbech was held outside the planning inquiry

The decision to instruct the Environment Agency to temporarily stop granting licences was made by junior Environment Minister Sir Mark Spencer, after Mr Barclay was recused from the process.

In a letter to the agency's head, Sir Mark said he was worried about the risk that expanding incineration capacity could pose to environmental obligations.

Prior to the ban, Fenland District Council had applied for a judicial review of the approved incineration plant.

Maria Veronese/BBC Virginia BucknorMaria Veronese/BBC
Virginia Bucknor said there were "very strange goings on"

Claire Coutinho granted development consent in February, her decision cannot be appealed but judicial review could be a chance to challenge it.

Virginia Bucknor, 76, a WisWIN (Wisbech Without Incineration) campaign coordinator, said: "We have overcapacity already in our incinerators, so I have no idea what is going on now.

"It would be very naïve of anyone to think it is not political; very strange goings on."

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