News that plans to develop a large incinerator at Buttington Quarry near Trewern have moved one step closer has been greeted with concern by local representatives Russell George and Amanda Jenner.

Mr George, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Montgomeryshire, and Trewern’s Powys County Councillor Ms Jenner have expressed concern over the timing of the pre-application during a period when public engagement is inevitably more limited during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The developer, Broad Energy, started its six-week pre-application consultation to engage with residents on September 14. Members of the public have until Monday, October 26, to submit their comments.

Their plans propose the development of an incinerator for up to 167,000 tonnes of waste per year, capable of processing non-hazardous, non-recyclable waste and transforming it into 12.8-megawatts of low-carbon electricity, which will be exported to the National Grid.

But both Mr George and Ms Jenner have questioned the timing of the application’s publication and are calling on the Welsh Government to give sufficient consideration to the impact of incinerators.

“Last year Amanda and I called for a moratorium on all new waste incinerators in Wales,” said Mr George.

“The Welsh Government is currently considering its circular waste economy strategy, and I believe it should take time to consider the current capacity and the impact of incinerators in Wales, and also concerns expressed by those on the Welsh Parliament’s environment and health committees about the long term impact of waste incinerators on air pollution and carbon emissions.”

Councillor Jenner added: “Given that the plans to develop this incinerator have been in the pipeline for some time now, the timing of the pre-application consultation is unfortunate.

“Broad Energy have sent out information packs in the post to many residents, due to the pandemic, but public meetings cannot be organised to provide residents with wider information on what is a highly technical and emotive development.

“Welsh Government ministers need to look at our national waste strategy as a whole and ensure waste is dealt with strategically and in the most environmentally conscious ways as possible, with waste being dealt with close to its source.

“Currently, the output of Co2 by incinerators is not restricted and there have been concerns raised that significant amounts of waste previously sent to incineration in Wales, have been recyclable.

“Given that the Welsh Government's waste strategy should ultimately lead to Wales producing less and less waste, now is the time put in place a moratorium on any new incinerators.

“It is for that reason that I have started a petition calling again on the Welsh Government to act now and put in place a moratorium on any new incinerators in Wales.”

Cllr Jenner has arranged a joint telephone advice surgery with Mr George for the residents of Trewern, Buttington, Hope and Middletown on Thursday, October 8, between 4-6pm.

Concerned residents in these areas who wish to speak to either representative should call Mr George’s office on 01686 610887.

To sign Councillor Jenner’s petition, meanwhile, visit https://petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/244202

The size of the Buttington Incinerator means that Welsh Government ministers will make the decision on its approval rather than Powys County Council as the local planning authority.

The scheme will create 300 jobs during its construction phase and employ 30 permanent staff once operational.

The project itself, as well as the consultation process, has drawn much criticism from local residents, who have formed a campaign group. Buttington incinerator Impact Group (BiIG) say that many people, and particularly the elderly, will be unable to participate during the consultation period.

Spokesman Corinne Rowley previously suggested that Broad Energy should hold back on the consultation until the end of lockdown.

“We are horrified by plans to launch the incinerator project during lockdown,” she said.

“Broad Energy, having delayed the project by almost four years, have now chosen to launch it at a time of national crisis.

“Broad Energy have said they will hold a virtual consultation. Many people in our community, particularly the older and more vulnerable, do not connect with the virtual world of the internet and social media.

“It is wrong that they should be denied involvement in something of such major importance.”