A public inquiry has begun into a rejected £200 million incinerator proposal in Derbyshire, with potential implications for regional waste management and infrastructure investment.
R&P Clean Power Ltd is appealing a unanimous decision by Derbyshire County Council to refuse planning permission for a large-scale waste-to-energy facility near Swadlincote, off the A444. The council cited concerns over the project’s scale and visual impact, supported by significant public opposition, including over 3,400 petition signatures and 1,200 written objections.
The developer argues there is an apparent shortfall in Derbyshire’s waste processing capacity, even accounting for two existing incinerators and the currently inoperative Sinfin site, which is co-owned by the county and city councils. If operational, the new plant would divert local waste currently sent across the UK and to Denmark, according to the developer’s legal team.
The proposed facility would represent a £200 million investment, with 200 construction jobs and 39 permanent roles expected. However, its 60-metre height and prominent location on a designated wildlife site have drawn criticism for its anticipated impact on both urban and rural landscapes.
The county council maintains there is no proven demand for a third incinerator and stresses the environmental and visual disruption the development would cause. The Sinfin plant is currently being tendered for full operation, which the council argues could meet local needs.
The inquiry, held in Matlock, is scheduled to run for nine days and will determine whether the development aligns with local planning priorities and environmental regulations.
