West Norfolk and Fenland MPs and councillors make final plea for Medworth incinerator outside Wisbech to be rejected
MPs, councillors and campaigners have made a final plea for plans to build an incinerator on the outskirts of West Norfolk to be dropped.
A decision on the controversial MMV Medworth proposals, for a site just outside Wisbech, is set to be made by Claire Coutinho, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, tomorrow (Wednesday). The application is for a combined heat and power waste facility.
Political figures across the area have banded together to voice their disapproval of the scheme, as many of them have done throughout the past few years.
Liz Truss, the South West Norfolk MP, has been vocal in opposing the plans.
Last week, she penned a joint letter with MP Steve Barclay – who represents North East Cambridgeshire – which invited Ms Coutinho to visit the site before she makes her decision.
West Norfolk councillor Alex Kemp has also stood against the incinerator plans, and wrote to Ms Coutinho herself towards the end of last year to stress her fears for the health of South and West Lynn residents should any emissions blow into their vicinity.
Ahead of a decision tomorrow, Cllr Kemp told the Lynn News: “It is really important that the Secretary of State turns this application down.
“It would be devastating for Wisbech and West Norfolk, and it would be completely against the protection of the environment.
“It would be a catastrophe if this is allowed to go ahead. We have campaigned against it, we have had a motion against it at both the borough and county councils.
“The Government should be listening to what the people say. These incinerators are not needed.”
During the past few years, both West Norfolk Council and Norfolk County Council have voiced their disapproval of the plans.
The Wisbech Without Incineration (WisWIN) campaign group has also previously protested against the scheme outside parliament.
In their letter to Ms Coutinho last week, Ms Truss and Mr Barclay said they do not believe the size of the facility is appropriate for the area.
They said several concerns have to be addressed, including the impact it would have on schools, health, traffic, historic buildings, and the environment.
Mr Barclay wrote: “I remain completely opposed to this mega incinerator and would like to invite you to visit the site alongside my parliamentary neighbour, Liz Truss, to see the proximity of the schools and how this will affect this small market town before making your final decision on this wholly unsuitable development.”
This week, prior to Ms Coutinho’s decision, Mr Barclay told the Lynn News: “Myself, councillors, concerned residents, experts and local campaigners have all made representations against the incinerator.
“I am hopeful that common sense will prevail, and that this unneeded and unwanted development will be turned down, allowing residents to move forward without the unneeded worry this scheme has caused.”
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero was approached for comment, but a spokesperson said it does not discuss live planning applications.
MVV says its incinerator would be a “new, state of the art, energy from waste combined heat and power facility”. It would be built on the existing waste management site on the Algores Way industrial estate.
The company’s website says: “The proposed energy from waste combined heat and power facility will divert over half a million tonnes of non-recyclable waste from landfill every year, generating over 50 megawatts of electricity and offering the opportunity to supply steam to local factories.
“The development includes not just the energy from waste facility but also the connections to the electricity grid and industrial heat users, and some modifications to the road network.”
It adds that, should the application be approved, the total investment will be more than £300million, and it is anticipated that construction will take around three years – with up to 700 people employed during that time.
