Wisbech EfW approved despite local opposition

The £300m, 50MW, combined heat and power plant were first proposed by MVV Environment in 2019. As a nationally significant infrastructure project, it was examined by the Planning Inspectorate before a recommendation was made to the minister.Cambridgeshire county councillor Lorna Dupre said the council recognised the secretary of state’s authority, but “fundamentally disagree[d]” with the outcome.“The Minister’s decision is a huge disappointment to all of us locally who have opposed the Wisbech incinerator proposals and fought against Medworth MVV’s proposals for the edge of this historic town.”Fenland district councillor Steve Tierney said he was “depressed” and “ashamed”, calling it a “dark day”.“The Government and its representatives have let us down, democracy has been ignored in favour of corporate interests,” said Tierney.The project has been opposed by a number of local councils and the Wisbech Without Incineration (WisWIN) campaign group as well as local MP and current environment minister Steve Barclay.MVV Environment managing director told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire this morning that construction, on the Algores Industrial Estate, is expected to begin in 2025. In the meantime, the company will continue to consult with the local community.“One of the things we really want to do is reach out to the community. We want to start talking to them,” said Carey. “We want to demonstrate that we’re going to be a good neighbour”.MVV says the facility, built on an existing waste transfer station, will divert over half a million tonnes of residual waste from landfill every year. It anticipates construction will take three years to complete.MVV UK is part of the German-headquartered MVV Energie group, which has a £3bn turnover and 6,000 employees.During a recent Environment Agency consultation, Fenland District Council joined the county council in highlighting the potential negative on the local environment and traffic conditions.”Fenland District Council worked closely with residents and partner organisations to demonstrate to the Planning Inspectorate and Secretary of State why this development was wrong for our residents, businesses and those in the wider area,” said councillor Dee Laws.”Very sadly, the local voice has not been heard,” she continued. “Going forward we will do everything in our power to ensure the negative impact is minimised and to secure what benefits we can for our residents.”