Councillors have spoken out in opposition to a controversial incinerator scheme, describing the plan as a devastating "travesty".
The three members of Durham County Council spoke at a public inquiry into the "energy from waste facility" proposed for Hownsgill Industrial Estate in Consett.
Developer Project Genesis is appealing against the council's decision refusal of planning permission for the proposed plant, with a 50m chimney stack, which would process up to 60,000 tonnes of fuel from waste per year.
They say the £45m scheme would manage waste, generate heat and electricity and help regeneration, but objectors say it would blight the landscape while the council maintains it would harm the "scenic beauty and unspoiled landscape" of the area.
Councillor Kathryn Rooney, who represents Consett North, said: "I was born in Consett and I have lived here all of my life.
"Overall, I found that my constituents, in line with the rest of Consett, were appalled at the prospect of such a development and feel that it is taking the town backwards.
"It is clear that the whole of Consett and surrounding areas are united against the waste burner.
"We can all see that for Consett, the beautiful countryside is our biggest selling point as a town, and to destroy this by dumping an incinerator and creating only nine jobs in doing so, is an absolute travesty.
"It is something that I can never accept as a way of improving our town in any way.
"We need jobs in the area, we need to attract big businesses - my concern is that this development will only serve to drive people away.
"Having seen how the town has grown, I do not want to see it regress. With an incinerator on our doorstep, I cannot see how we can move forward."
Read more: Consett incinerator objectors tell inquiry it would be a 'blight' on landscape
Cllr Dominic Haney, for Consett South, said the facility - which he described as a "monster waste burner" - would have a "devastating effect" on the nearby North Pennines area of outstanding natural beauty.
He said: "It is extremely brave for anyone to assert that the waste burner’s 150ft-high chimney with a flashing beacon on top would have a trivial effect on our town’s many glorious vistas.
"Our skyline must be preserved and protected. It would be heartbreaking for our town for that to be lost forever.
"Hundreds of people in my patch have raised with me material objections as to why this development should not go ahead.
"Thousands of people across the town, and even further afield, have submitted objections to the planning department.
"Never has there been such a phenomenal and united effort of the people of Consett to campaign for something that they passionately believe in.
"It just goes to show that a community can stand together, and tell those who think they know best that Consett will not be a dumping ground for other people’s waste.
"I sincerely hope that those efforts are vindicated and that we can finally see this hugely damaging plan disappear in a puff of smoke.
"It would be a grotesque injustice for all of us if the applicant’s appeal was upheld."
Read more: Tory MP has scathing comments on plans to build waste incinerator
Cllr Michelle Walton, for Delves Lane, said: "Some of our Templetown residents, including myself, live less than 500m away from this proposed site.
"Major housing developments in Delves ward and the wider Consett area are inviting new families to settle here but an incinerator will put this at risk.
"Indeed, one of our resident families emigrated to Delves Lane from Canada because of our beautiful natural local area. They have told us they will return to Canada if this incinerator goes ahead.
"We've not found anyone in our ward who fully supports this incinerator. Not one.
"The most shocking part of the plan is the huge 50ft stack. The stack would dominate and become a blot on Consett's landscape. It's two-and-a-half times the height of the Angel of the North."
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