Body parts, organs and animal faeces are among the hazardous waste that could be burned at a new County Durham incinerator, writes Local Democracy Reporter, Bill Edgar.
Fornax, the company in charge of the site, has applied for an environmental permit to operate its Newton Aycliffe facility throughout the year.
As part of its application, a long list of all the wastes set to be combusted at the Merchant Park site has been revealed. Other wastes set to be burned include those from chemical processes, human or animal health care, agriculture, and oils.
The company said up to 10,500 tonnes would be incinerated per year at its new site in the business park but previously insisted there were “no environmental health or amenity issues”. Checks will be made to ensure that only waste for which the plant has been designed will be accepted. Any unacceptable materials will be rejected and stored in a designated area.
Initially rejected by Durham County Council, plans for the incinerator were later approved by the Government at a planning inquiry in 2022. Planning inspector John Woolcock said many of the concerns were not “well founded” and the incinerator would not damage human health.
However, Fornax faces significant opposition from local campaigners, who have warned air pollution caused by the burning could increase the likelihood of childhood cancers and breathing difficulties.
Debra Mitchell, who lives near the incinerator, said: “We have enough trouble with the smells and pollution as it is without all of this added to it.”
Meanwhile, Sarah Travis said the prospect of the incinerator operating is “horrifying”.
She added: “Aycliffe and the surrounding area is being used as a dumping ground, and residents already suffer with Ashcourt [Quarry] and the waste treatment facility toxifying the air. We don’t want this new facility on our doorstep affecting our health or that of our children’s health, or that of the local wildlife and environment.”
Last year, The Government announced it will block new incinerators if they do not help meet environmental objectives under rules unveiled on Monday. Developers will have to show that their project either helps reduce the amount of non-recyclable waste going to landfill, or replaces an older, less efficient incinerator.
But the proposals stop short of the plans included in the Conservatives’ 2024 manifesto, which committed to a complete ban on new incinerators due to their “impact on local communities” and declining demand as recycling increased.
Fornax’s permit will be considered by the Environment Agency later this year.
Meanwhile, a public meeting planned for Monday June 16 has been postponed to a date yet to be confirmed.
Posting on the protestors’ Facebook campaign page, the organisers said: “Rather than a single one-hour meeting for up to 200 people, we’re now moving towards a more accessible and inclusive format: An eight-hour drop-in consultation at GLOW Church (12:00–20:00) with six Environment Agency officers available throughout the day and more time to engage, ask questions, and understand the issues fully.”
South West Durham News covering news across County Durham.
Bill Edgar
Reporter for the Local Democracy Reporter Service.
