Concerns over latest Rivenhall Incinerator application
Witham MP Priti Patel has expressed concerns over the latest environmental permit application by the promoters of the Rivenhall Integrated Waste Management Facility. The application is to vary the current permit to enable the facility to operate with a stack that is 35 metres above ground level rather than 58 metres. A previous application for 35 metres was refused leading to the designs for the stack being changed to a higher level, although those have not received planning consent. As well as pursing a variation to the environmental permit, Gent Fairhead are continuing to pursue planning consent for the 58 metre stack scheme. Priti said:
“This latest application is cause of serious concern for local communities who object to the incinerator. There are now two processes in place with Gent Fairhead trying to align the environmental permit requirements with the planning consent they need to proceed.”
“The uncertainty caused once again demonstrates that the original plans were ill thought through and should never have been granted permission by the last Labour Government in 2010. Since then there have been a series of changes to the scheme with residents constantly under pressure. Local residents have fought hard against the barrage of planning applications and environmental permit applications and I will continue to support them in objecting to this latest throw of the dice by Gent Fairhead.”