Environmental campaigners have warned a massive new waste incinerator on the Jurassic Coast could threaten its World Heritage status.
The plans for a 264ft-tall chimney stack on the Isle of Portland, Dorset were approved this week, overriding a decision by Dorset Council, despite protests from residents and MPs.
The incinerator, which will burn commercial, household and skip waste 24 hours a day, could see the Jurassic Coast being put on UNESCO’s “World Heritage in Danger” list.
The main building for the incinerator will be bigger than Westminster Abbey while the chimney stack will be nearly twice the height of the iconic Portland Bill lighthouse. While the Isle of Portland is not part of the World Heritage Site, it is in the middle of it.
An artist’s rendition of what the incinerator would look like
Powerfuel Portland
Sam Scriven, from the Jurassic Coast Trust, said: “The Jurassic Coast Trust are very disappointed by the decision to grant permission to build the energy reclamation facility on Portland.
“Although the development will lie outside of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site itself, there will be an impact to the site’s overall setting.”
“We will continue to advise Dorset Council and other stakeholders as needed on this matter, and carry on our work to promote and conserve the outstanding Earth heritage of the Dorset and East Devon coast as a whole.”
South Dorset MP Lloyd Hatton said: “I’m deeply disappointed and frustrated with this decision. It’s a poorly thought out proposal in a far from ideal place. I haven’t met a single person in my constituency who thinks it is a good idea. I firmly believe it is not the right idea I will do everything I can to oppose this.”
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Cliffs on the Jurassic Coast near West Bay, Dorset
PA
The plans were first unveiled in November 2019 but were met with opposition and the application received more than 3,300 objections.
World Heritage Watch chair Stephan Doempke said: “We find the decision of UK Government to grant planning permission for a waste incinerator in the immediate vicinity of a World Heritage Site deeply deplorable.
“It sends the wrong message by giving short-term economic gains preference over long-term benefits for the people and nature of the Dorset coast.”
Developers Powerfuel Portland claim the huge building will be “camouflaged” using printed PVC mesh screening creating a visual effect.
The firm said that the facility is consistent with national and local waste policy of harvesting energy recovery from waste, and will be capable of producing enough renewable low carbon energy to power around 30,000 homes.
The World Heritage Site spreads along the 95-mile long stretch of coast in Dorset and Devon.
The site is the only place in the world where rocks from the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods can be seen in one place, marking 185 million years of Earth’s history.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government told The Telegraph: “In line with the recommendation from the independent planning inspector, ministers have granted planning permission for an energy recovery facility at Portland Port. The full reasons for this are set out in the published decision letter.”
