Westbury gears up for legal battle to stop Northacre waste incinerator
Councillors in Westbury are being urged to approve a 'fighting fund' of up to £100,000 to stop a controversial energy from waste incinerator being built.
The council's Northacre Renewable Energy Task & Finish Group is recommending they appoint a preferred solicitor to represent the town council should Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, call in the NREL waste incinerator planning application.
Mr Gove and his predecessor Robert Jenrick were urged by residents, towns and parishes, Local Liberal Democrat spokesperson Ellen Nicholson, and local South West Wiltshire MP to call in the scheme.
In June, Wiltshire Council's strategic planning committee voted 7-4 to approve Northacre Renewable Energy Ltd's plans to change the technology from advanced thermal treatment to moving grate combustion.
The Environment Agency has yet to decide on whether to grant NREL's application for an operating licence following extensive public consultation earlier this year.
The council has already approved £10,000 for legal fees. It is being recommended to approve a further £20,00.
Councillors will also be asked to set aside a sum of up to £70,000 from a rolling credit facility/general reserves to employ a legal team consisting of a solicitor, barrister and expert witness.
At its full council meeting on Monday, the council is being asked to approve the use of a crowd funding appeal to raise donations towards the project.
It says that any income offered from neighbouring parishes and towns will be used to offset costs.
Town gears up for legal battle to stop Northacre waste incinerator | Wiltshire Times