Proposed incinerator at Waterbeach goes to appeal

Proposed incinerator at Waterbeach goes to appeal

Posted on Jul 24, 2019 by jsw  | Tags: Planning

The fight continues over a possible 80-metre high chimney stack at a fen-edge village and its effect on the local community, environment, heritage assets and landscape.

Proposed waste incinerator at Waterbeach

The chimney stack is part of a waste incinerator facility being proposed by Amey Cespa on land next to Waterbeach. In September 2018, Cambridgeshire County council refused planning permission for the energy-from-waste facility. However, Amey Cespa’s appeal has resulted in a planning inquiry being scheduled for November.

In February 2018, we objected to the planning application, citing:

• The intrusive visual impact across the surrounding open Fenland.
• The adverse impact of the waste incinerator on the setting of Denny Abbey, site of a Benedictine Abbey founded in the 12th century.

Other objectors included Historic England, residents and the parish councils for fen-edge villages.

In a letter to the Planning Inspectorate in May 2019, we reiterated our objections, and also added the issue of climate change. We question how polluting emissions from an energy-from-waste facility is consistent with taking a responsible approach to reducing either climate or health effects.

The Planning Inspectorate has set 5 November 2019 as the starting date for the inquiry. The inquiry is open to the public and will take place at Shire Hall in Cambridge. It is expected to last 16 days.

A group of local residents, Cambridge Without Incineration (CBWIN), is raising money to continue its opposition to the development.