Peel Energy Trafford: Council plans incinerator appeal

A council is to appeal after the government gave the go-ahead to plans for a biomass incinerator in Greater Manchester despite local objections.

A government inquiry was held into Peel Energy's plans for a £70m plant in Davyhulme after Trafford Council and hundreds of residents objected.

An inspector said health fears were outweighed by the plant's benefits.

Councillors said they believed they had reasonable grounds for a judicial review of the government's decision.

Council deputy leader Sean Anstee said: "It's something we're going to continue to fight every step of the way.

"Right in the middle of a residential area is not an appropriate place for a plant of this nature."

Residents, who formed the campaign Breathe Clean Air Group (BCAG), described the government's decision as a "devastating blow".

They argued it would be too close to homes and result in pollutants being pumped into the air, though the Environment Agency said it was satisfied it would not pose a risk.

A spokesman for the Peel project said the plant was needed to help the UK meet its renewable energy targets, reduce reliance on imported energy and avoid valuable resources going into landfill.