A campaign group has urged people to object to a waste incinerator site they claim would be "hugely damaging" if it is allowed to be built near Welshpool.
Buttington Incinerator Impact Group (BiIG) is concerned that allowing the large industrial waste incinerator at Buttington Quarry will cause issues in the local area such as health problems for children and residents.
Plans for the incinerator were submitted to Welsh Government planners last month by Broad Energy Wales, who say the incinerator would play a vital part in helping the government achieve its net-zero carbon ambition.
Campaigners have been out doing door-to-door leaflet drops and driving around Welshpool with banners in an attempt to get residents to make their voices heard before the deadline for comments closes on Monday, May 24.
Buttington Incinerator Impact Group have been campaigning in Welshpool against plans for a wast incinerator at Buttington Quarry. Pic: Buttington Incinerator Impact Group
A spokesperson for BiIG said “Due to the pandemic, and the limp attempts by the company behind the application to inform the local community, there are still people who have no idea this hugely damaging facility could be built”.
However Broad Energy Wales CEO Alistair Hilditch-Brown said: "We continue to work with the Welsh Planning Inspectorate as the Buttington Energy Recovery Facility application progresses through the proper due processes.
"While we admire the Welsh Government's drive to achieve a zero waste, zero carbon future, we remain convinced that there is a need for the Buttington project and that it will have a vital part to play in helping the Government achieve its net zero ambitions.
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“The project will also bring greater benefits to the area, with the expected development of the wider business park at Buttington Quarry creating new jobs and economic investment, the production of sustainable energy for the benefit of the community, and the installation of electric vehicle charging stations for commercial and private use.
“We are working closely with our logistics partners who will be planning to move materials to and from the site using a fleet of electric battery lorries, minimising emissions and further reducing the environmental impact of the project.”
Mr Hilditch-Brown also explained how the facility would reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill. He added that it would also generate low-carbon energy.
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