Waterbeach Energy from Waste plant – appeal dismissed by Secretary of State

The Secretary of State has dismissed Amey's appeal against Cambridgeshire County Council's refusal of planning permission for an Energy from Waste ("EfW") plant at Waterbeach. The decision ultimately turns on heritage harm to the nearby Denny Abbey complex and landscape/visual harm (Cambridgeshire County Council's two reasons for refusal - both upheld on appeal). It also contains, amongst other things, discussion regarding possible future shifts in the biogenic content of waste feedstock, what that means for whether the EfW plant would increase/decrease greenhouse gas emissions relative to disposal to landfill, and the consequences for the weighting exercise.

James Burton appeared for the County Council.

Link to combined decision and Inspector's report here.