13 February 2008

Plans to expand Eastcroft incinerator should have been refused by Nottingham City Council, say its planning officials.

The council failed to make a decision on the application within its 16-week target because the scheme was so complex.

The Waste Recycling Group, which is behind the plans, used its right to ask a Government planning inspector to make a final decision on whether the incinerator should go ahead.

Planning officers have now revealed they would have recommended councillors refuse planning permission.

A report going to the development control committee on February 20 says this is because the expansion would "unacceptably constrain the sustainable regeneration of the city by inhibiting the development of mixed communities in the Southside, Eastside and Waterside Regeneration zones."

The original planning application was turned down by the council in September 2006 after 3,000 objections. WRG submitted a revised plan in August. The amount of rubbish burnt would still increase from 150,000 tonnes a year to 250,000, but moves would be made "to reduce its [the incinerator's]visual impact".

A spokesman for WRG said: "We are disappointed with the recommendation of this report, particularly given the considerable effort we have made to address the council's concerns over the impact on the regeneration of the surrounding area and the recent confirmation by the Secretary of State that the expansion of Eastcroft is still needed."

Nottingham Against Incineration and Landfill (Nail) had expected the council to refuse the plans. Founder Jon Beresford said: "Unfortunately it doesn't really mean anything.

"We are very annoyed that WRG are taking this to a public inquiry, which is taking it out of local hands and potentially costing the tax payer a lot of money. WRG said all along they wanted a local decision and they are now bypassing this.

"It is now clear WRG want a decision in their favour no matter what the cost."

The council has received 119 letters and emails and a 1,153-name petition objecting to the proposals.

However, The Environment Agency has said Eastcroft's recent record for emission breaches has been good and the Primary Care Trust concluded there would be no significant health impact.