MP Steve Barclay promises to do ‘everything possible’ to fight Wisbech incinerator decision

An MP has backed councillors in their fight to prevent an incinerator coming to Wisbech.

Steve Barclay, MP for North East Cambridgeshire, has said he will remain “strongly opposed” to the incinerator plan.

It comes after a Fenland District Council meeting held on Monday where they voted to seek legal action to challenge the Secretary of State’s decision.

The MMV Medworth proposals have been permitted by Claire Coutinho, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Mr Barclay said: “The decision by the Planning Inspector and Secretary of State to approve the planning element of this flawed scheme is terrible news for our area.

“As both a Member of Parliament and a resident living just outside Wisbech I remain strongly opposed to this proposal and will continue to do everything possible to fight it.”

He added: “This is not the end of the application process as the developer also needs an environmental permit to operate, which has not yet been granted, and the planning decision may be subject to judicial review.

“We also have legally binding targets to halve the amount of residual waste going to landfill or incineration and making progress on this further undermines the case for new incinerators.”

On Monday, councillors said they were fed up of Fenland being used as a “dumping ground” and unanimously voted to seek legal action to try and prevent the heat and power waste facility.