Campaigners have vowed not to give up their fight following the Environment Agency’s decision to grant a permit to incinerate waste at a controversial sustainable energy plant in Northwich.

Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Ed Davey gave planning consent to E.ON Energy from Waste and Tata Chemicals Europe for the construction of the site off Griffiths Road in Lostock Gralam in October 2012, following a five-week public inquiry.

The Cheshire Anti-Incinerator Network (Chain) has led the charge against the yet-to-be-built energy from waste plant, which will have the capacity to handle up to 600,000 tonnes of waste per year, on the grounds that it poses health risks.

A spokesperson for Chain said: “The Environment Agency has a reputation of being the Government branch of the waste incineration industry and so its decision to grant a permit to E.ON did not come as a surprise.

“Local residents, however, should  be concerned because despite what it claims, the Agency cannot prove an incinerator of the huge scale that E.ON intends  to build would be safe over the 30 years that it would operate.

“Don't forget it would be as large as Wembley Stadium emitting dioxins 24 hours a day just a few hundred yards away from homes and schools.

“Northwich people should not  have to live with this risk. This is  our town and it is our children's  health that we are seeking to  protect and we have no intention of giving up.”

Chain's campaign to stop the waste-burning incinerator
Chain's campaign to stop the waste-burning incinerator

Tracey Rimmer, environment  manager at the Environment  Agency, said: “This decision is the  outcome of our careful  consideration and thorough  assessment of the application,  and we are satisfied that the  facility will meet the high  standards set by the UK  Government and Europe.

“In reaching our decision we  consulted with, and received  expert advice from, Public Health England.

“We would like to thank people for the comments they submitted  during the consultation.

“We are imposing conditions in the permit to ensure that local  people and the environment are  protected.

“We will be regulating the  operation to ensure it meets the  rigorous standards and  conditions of the permit.”