A witness called to a public inquiry into a contentious waste and energy scheme has said the benefits of the scheme "far outweigh" the harm.
Planning consultancy director Harvey Emms said a "basket of benefits" attached to the Hownsgill Energy Centre scheme should be given "significant weight".
However Durham County Council argued some benefits had been added at a later stage to counter the harm caused by the "incinerator" plan.
Read more: Consett incinerator scheme 'could help alleviate local fuel poverty'
The council, and numerous objectors, say the plan would harm landscape and heritage, but Mr Emms told a government-appointed inspector: "It is not countryside."
The proposed "energy from waste facility" would process up to 60,000 tonnes of non-recyclable commercial and industrial waste per year at Hownsgill Industrial Park in Consett.
Mr Emms was called by Project Genesis, which is appealing against the council's refusal of planning permission for the plant.
He said: "I think it's pretty clear that there's significant benefits associated with the delivery of this scheme.
"Even if the inspector agrees there's impact on landscape and heritage, I think the economic and public benefits of this scheme far outweigh any potential harm."
He said the plan was a forward-thinking and "very strong and convincing package application" with benefits for waste, carbon reduction, economy, businesses and residents.
Read more: Crowds of objectors protest against proposed energy centre
He agreed it was a "credible probability" that discounted heat and power produced by the facility could be a "catalyst" for attracting new businesses to the industrial park.
He said: "I think there should be significant weight accorded to the potential to deliver connections for heat to that and the adjacent plots."
He was also asked about a potential £43m to £47.5m investment from the scheme: "I think that's a significant benefit to the local economy, both in terms of direct and indirect effects."
He said of a proposed a £120,000-a-year fund to alleviate fuel poverty in the area: "I think it's a significant public benefit for local residents and businesses for this scheme going forward."
Read more: Residents speak against 'bad neighbour' incinerator plan
John Barrett, cross-examining on behalf of the council, asked about three benefits - the fuel poverty fund, carbon capture technology and enabling an otherwise "unviable" solar farm.
He said: "Three benefits that are now part of the case being put to the Secretary of State have been introduced post-appeal.
"The reason why you've introduced these additional benefits is to enable you to put forward a case that public benefits outweigh harm."
Mr Emms said: "The public benefits are clear."
He added it was a "moving beast" where the application was reviewed, points clarified and benefits shown as the scheme was "evolved and thought through".
Read more: County Durham incinerator told it will be 'barely noticeable'
He said later: "I don't recognise that there's land use harm in this proposal.
"My personal view is there's no heritage harm related to this scheme."
He said a likely saving of 530,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide was also a "significant benefit so a significant weight should be given to that".
He said it could contribute to diverting waste from landfill, where 609,000 tonnes of waste currently goes in the region, with six years' landfill capacity left.
He said: "There's an imminent issue with regards to landfill capacity that's rapidly filling.
"If it can't be treated locally by other means such as energy from waste, it has to go elsewhere to landfill, travelling large distances or shipped abroad as some currently is."
Read more: Incinerator inquiry - 'Consett will not be a dumping ground'
He spoke of the proposed building and 50ft chimney stack being visible, partially viewed or obscured.
"It will screen in part. From different viewpoints you will not see it," he said.
"It's an allocated employment site on the fringe of Consett. It's not the same as being sat in open countryside.
"We're not talking about the loss of countryside here. We're talking about an allocation for a development on an industrial estate. It is not countryside."
Read next:
Consett incinerator objectors tell inquiry it would be a 'blight' on landscape
Consett incinerator row: Richard Holden hits back at plans
Man threatened with ammonia spray in Middlesbrough
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