Home / Environment / Dorset Incinerator Set to Burn More Waste Types
Dorset Incinerator Set to Burn More Waste Types
21 Jun
Summary
- Portland incinerator permit may be extended to 68 waste types.
- The Environment Agency is minded to approve the permit variation.
- A public consultation on the draft decision runs until 31 July.
An application to expand the types of waste processed at a planned incinerator on the Dorset coast is expected to receive approval. Powerfuel Portland is seeking to amend its permit from handling one category of waste to 68 types for the facility scheduled to open at Portland Port in 2030. The Environment Agency has indicated it is "minded" to grant this variation after reviewing emissions, odour, noise, and storage concerns.
Dorset Council had previously expressed uncertainty regarding potential emission changes, noting the new permit would significantly widen the scope to include potentially more odorous waste. Despite these concerns, Powerfuel Portland asserts the application represents a minor technical variation with no increased environmental risk. The incinerator aims to process up to 202,000 tonnes of waste annually, generating energy for approximately 30,000 homes.
The original incinerator permission was granted in 2024 after an appeal, following an initial rejection by Dorset Council. The company highlights the project's potential to create jobs and enable in-county waste management, though Dorset Council has stated it has no plans to utilize the facility. The Environment Agency has received around 685 public comments and is conducting a consultation on its draft decision until July 31.
