A Government decision to refuse plans for a controversial incinerator is set to be taken to the High Court, as a local regeneration organisation hopes to overrule hundreds of objections.

Residents and campaign groups have mounted significant battles over the past two years to stop the construction of the facility on land at Hownsgill Industrial Park, Consett, as they feared it would be a danger to local health.

The proposed Hownsgill Energy Centre, backed by Project Genesis, would have a 50m-high chimney stack and would process up to 60,000 tonnes per year of commercial and industrial waste.

Planning permission was refused by Durham County Council in September 2021 but an appeal led to a nine-day public inquiry overseen by an inspector who recommended that the appeal be allowed and permission be granted subject to conditions.

But in June, a government report said it disagreed with the inspector’s recommendation and had decided to dismiss the appeal and refuse permission.

The Northern Echo: Campaigners have criticised the applicant’s “shameful” decision to appeal again, saying it didn’t represent the views of the local public. Campaigners have criticised the applicant’s “shameful” decision to appeal again, saying it didn’t represent the views of the local public. (Image: The Northern Echo) 

The decision from the Department for Levelling Up read: “Harm to the character and appearance of the landscape carries very significant weight against the proposal, while the perception of harm to public health and the effect on housing demand carries limited weight.

“Overall, there is conflict with the development plan and the material considerations in this case do not indicate that permission should be determined other than in accordance with the development plan. The Secretary of State, therefore, concludes that the appeal should be dismissed and planning permission should be refused.”

Now, campaigners have criticised the applicant’s “shameful” decision to appeal again, saying it didn’t represent the views of the local public. Project Genesis has also faced criticism from cross-party local councillors and the town’s Conservative MP Richard Holden during its campaign, with over 3,500 objections to the scheme sent to Durham County Council.

The Say No to Consett Incinerator group said: “It is our belief that it is a thoroughly shameful decision on their part. How can Project Genesis, a body that is supposed to be redeveloping the ex steelwork’s land on behalf of the people believe that it is acceptable to use their funds to make such a legal challenge? 

“Their appeal is against the government, but is also against the council and most importantly, the overwhelming majority of the people of Consett, people who they are supposed to represent.” 

Meanwhile, cllr Kathryn Rooney, of Consett, said: “Why won’t Project Genesis Ltd listen? When will they give up?

“Project Genesis Ltd simply cannot accept that their devastating waste burner plans keep getting dumped."

The Northern Echo: Project Genesis has faced over 3,500 objections to the scheme.Project Genesis has faced over 3,500 objections to the scheme. (Image: The Northern Echo)

But Durham County Councillor Alex Watson, who co-founded the regeneration body and remains closely linked to it, previously criticised the Government’s interference as ‘rotten to the core’.

Following the latest announcement, he said: “Hopefully the appeal will be successful and that we can put this whole episode behind us and focus on a truly low carbon future that embraces cleaner greener energy sources, as we all do our bit in our drive toward zero carbon. Let's focus on the facts.”

The Department for Levelling Up did not comment on the update, given the decision may now be the subject of legal proceedings.