A Westminster Hall debate was staged this week in Parliament to discuss the proposed energy from waste facility in Saddlebow, King’s Lynn, Norfolk.
Cory Wheelabrator wishes to build a facility that will treat 250,000 tonnes of waste per year. Despite having the backing of Norfolk County Council there has been opposition from some of the local district councils and the Norfolk MPs including Conservative MP for North West Norfolk Henry Bellingham.
After securing the debate, Henry Bellingham opened it with criticism of Norfolk County Council for proceeding with the facility.
He said: “Although there is overwhelming consensus in favour of diverting waste from landfill, support for incineration is rapidly diminishing around the world. Increasingly, it is seen as yesterday’s technology – old technology that is going out of fashion.
“In spite of that, Norfolk County Council has opted for incineration to sort out Norfolk’s waste, in face of massive public opposition…and the opposition of the local borough council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk and all of Norfolk’s MPs.”
Communities and Local Government Minister Nick Boles responded to the debate on behalf of the Government.
He revealed that the public inquiry into the facility will begin on 26 February and last until 19 April.
The Minister also said: “We do need to recognise…that certain facilities that are required in every area of the country will never be popular among their neighbours.”
He also said that the public inquiry will look at factors such as whether the facility is needed, local support for it, and if it is the right facility and technology for the area.
