Canford Magna incinerator recommended for approval

More than 230 people have written to the council to object to the plans for the waste combined heat and power facility at Canford Resource Park.  

The site, off Magna Road, Poole, is already an active waste management site, which includes closed landfill and waste processing facilities. 

MVV Environment Ltd said it will process 260,000 tonnes of waste per year and it will be carbon capture retrofit ready. 

Its main purpose would be to treat household, commercial and industrial waste from the BCP area that otherwise would be landfilled or exported to another facility either in the UK or Europe. 

The matter had much debate among residents last year (Image: Magwatch)

Council case officer Gareth Ball has said in a report that the project should go ahead, with the condition that after 40 years the building is removed from the land. 

Mr Ball said: “This would allow BCP to reassess the acceptability of the building and site use upon the cessation of the use, under a subsequent waste local plan (given the current waste plan is set to run until 2033) and set of circumstances.  

“This also avoids permanent impact on the green belt [...] The condition includes a full decommissioning plan to ensure that the process does not unduly harm the surrounding area.” 

The town hall planner added the proposal would “improve BCP and Dorset moving towards self-sufficiency" to dispose of its waste. 

Chief concerns from residents include the pollution caused from burning waste, the loss of a “large” area of green belt land and the “harm” it could do to the environment. 

Other concerns include extra traffic, particularly during the construction phase, and its location being close to homes and schools. 

However, some businesses have shown support for the development, including the waste service Biffa, landowner WH White and AFC Bournemouth, which says its new training ground next to the site could be supplied with electricity from MVV Environment. 

Councillors will decide the application at a committee meeting on Thursday, September 12. 

If it is approved, it will be referred to the Secretary of State Angela Rayner who will have 21 days to intervene should she wish to call-in the application.