Mike Hall MP slams Ince Marshes incinerator plan go-ahead because of existing IneosChlor, Runcorn, plans

Aug 20 2009 by Oliver Clay, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

A RUNCORN MP has slammed a Government decision to allow an incinerator to be built a few miles from another one at Ineos.

Mike Hall said it was ‘astonishing’ and ‘reckless’ that decision makers approved Peel Holdings’ plans for a 95-megawatt incinerator and waste recovery park at Ince Marshes near Helsby.

He said planning inspectors, and ministers John Denham and Lord Hunt did not consider the 100MW IneosChlor incinerator site in Weston Point when making their decision.

Mr Hall said the two plants will compete for waste as they are both designed to be regional facilities and that there is only enough waste for one large incinerator. However, he now believes having two plants may lead to national and international waste being burned at the plants.

He said: “I am extremely disappointed by the decision to allow Peel Holdings to build a 95MW waste incinerator at Ince Marshes.

“This means that we now face the prospect of waste being brought to north Cheshire from outside the region and abroad.

“Now we have the prospect of two waste incinerators within two miles of each other.”

Myles Kitcher, Peel Holdings environmental director, said: “We are pleased with the decision of both secretaries of state to grant consent for the Ince Resource Recovery Park.

“It provides a significant opportunity for the North West to be at the forefront of the UK’s low carbon industrial strategy.”