Opponents of the proposed Lynn incinerator have outlined their case against the project at the public inquiry this afternoon.
Opening statements were made on behalf of West Norfolk Council and King’s Lynn Without Incineration (KLWIN) during the afternoon session at the Corn Exchange.
In her submissions, Nathalie Lieven QC, for the borough council, said there were “fundamental objections” to the proposal and argued that the application had failed to show the site was suitable.
She also criticised the argument that the plant adhered to the county council’s waste core strategy because it was sited close to a major urban centre, as it had sufficient capacity to be the sole facility of its type in Norfolk.
She said: “To suggest it is the nearest appropriate installation, when it is in the north west corner of the county and on the far side of the county from the largest settlement and waste producer in the county is ludicrous.”
They also maintained that flood risk relating to the application had not been properly assessed by the applicants, Cory Wheelabrator, and that other sites in the county were better suited to the development proposed.
Meanwhile, in her statement, KLWIN’s solicitor Carla Goodyear said risk assessments made in support of the application had been flawed and claimed their evidence would show the incinerator would have a larger carbon footprint than any other rival waste management plan, unless a buyer could be found for the heat and power generated.
Responding to earlier suggestions that there would be no significant harm to areas of special scientific interest, such as Roydon Common, she added: “The applicant is unable to demonstrate the facility would not have an adverse impact on local ecology.”
And she claimed her clients’ evidence would show claims made by supporters of the plant of rising levels of waste in the county over the coming years were “entirely unsupported” by recent trends.
The inquiry has now been adjourned until next Tuesday, March 5, when it will resume at the West Norfolk Professional Development Centre on Kilhams Way, North Lynn.
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