A councillor has spoken of the disappointment across both Cambridgeshire and Norfolk over the Government’s go-ahead for a £300 million waste incinerator in Medworth, Wisbech.
Cllr Lorna Dupre, chair of Cambridgeshire County Council’s environment and green investment committee, lamented the decision by Secretary of State for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Claire Coutinho to allow MVV’s application for an energy from waste combined heat and power facility, capable of generating more than 50 megawatts of electricity.
Their proposals involve land on the Algores Industrial Estate in Wisbech, as well as a grid connection at the Walsoken substation.
The development consent order had to be decided by the Planning Inspectorate which recommended approval and that was rubber stamped by the Minister.
Cambridgeshire County Council, Fenland District Council, Norfolk County Council, and the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, as well as hundreds of local Wisbech residents, opposed the plan.
In representations to the public inquiry earlier in the year, Cambridgeshire County Council highlighted the impact on the landscape, carbon emissions, and transport links in and around Wisbech.
Cllr Dupre said: “The Minister’s decision is a huge disappointment to all of us locally who have opposed the Wisbech incinerator proposals and fought against Medworth MVV’s proposals for the edge of this historic town.
“Whilst we fundamentally disagree with the government’s decision and do not believe it is in the best interests of the people of Wisbech, we recognise the Secretary of State’s authority on the matter.
“When it comes to nationally significant infrastructure projects like this one, the decision – and responsibility for the decision – lies with central Government.”
MVV managing director Paul Carey said: “We look forward to going ahead with this project, in accordance with the requirements of the development consent order. We want to assure the local community that we will be a good neighbour as we build and operate the new facility, as we have already demonstrated at our facilities in Plymouth and Dundee.”
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