← Back to Westminster Hall Debates
Waste Incineration: Permit Variation
01 December 2022
Lead MP
Elliot Colburn
Responding Minister
Rebecca Pow
Tags
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Word Count: 10173
Other Contributors: 3
At a Glance
Elliot Colburn raised concerns about waste incineration: permit variation in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Colburn calls for a mechanism to ensure communities have greater influence over repeated major permit variations. He also requests conditions be added for permit variations such as metal detectors and magnets to extract harmful metals before burning, and support for efforts to prevent gas canisters from ending up in bins. Additionally, he advocates for clear recycling targets for operators.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The Beddington incinerator in Elliot Colburn's constituency has faced numerous issues since its commissioning, including breaches of emissions limits, delays in restoration projects, road damage due to waste vehicle movements, nitrogen dioxide emissions from gas canisters, and a decrease in recycling rates. The operator Viridor submitted an application to vary the environmental permit to enable enhanced operations at the site, which would increase annual processing capacity by 26%. Colburn highlighted that there is extremely limited community engagement and influence over these processes.
Alex Sobel
Lab Co-op
Leeds Central and Headingley
Discussed the need for changes in the waste management system, highlighting concerns over incineration capacity exceeding genuinely residual combustible waste. Mentioned CO2 emissions from incinerators, stating that roughly 1 tonne of CO2 is released for each tonne of waste incinerated and about half derives from fossil sources such as plastic. Raised issues with Environment Agency data on air quality and the need for better resource allocation to local authorities due to budget cuts.
Jane Hunt
Lab
Bristol North West
Expressed frustration over the construction of a new incinerator in Loughborough, citing overcapacity in UK incineration and concerns about PM2.5 emissions affecting health, especially for elite athletes. Raised issues with the viability of best available techniques and called for targets on air quality under the Environment Act. We are already over capacity before new incinerators come online, suggesting a moratorium to assess other waste management options. Discussed air quality concerns and the impact on elite athletes in her constituency, raised questions about PM2.5 targets and the finalisation of statutory instruments by DEFRA to address these issues.
Robbie Moore
Con
Keighley and Ilkley
Mr Moore expressed deep concerns about the environmental impact of waste incineration, specifically a planned incinerator in Marley near Keighley. He criticized Bradford Council for granting planning permission despite widespread local opposition. Mr Moore highlighted issues with inadequate consultation processes and unreliable pollution data modelling, citing examples such as the disparity between weather station elevation and proposed incinerator location. He raised concerns about particulate matter emissions affecting air quality and public health. Additionally, he criticised the separation of traffic flow impacts from the permit review process. Stressed the importance of reducing waste through reuse and recycling schemes as part of the resources and waste strategy, urging Bradford Council to focus more on these methods instead of incineration.
Government Response
Rebecca Pow
Government Response
Provided an overview of the government's stance on waste incineration, addressing concerns about air quality, public health risks, and the future of energy-from-waste plants. Emphasised that modern incinerators are not a significant risk to public health when well-run and regulated. Stressed the importance of reducing residual waste through recycling schemes. Reiterated that DEFRA has no plans for a moratorium on new energy-from-waste capacity in England, as the market will determine future infrastructure needs based on economic viability.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.