MP Steve Barclay calls for impact assessment on planned Wisbech mega-burner

Local MP Steve Barclay has called on the Government to carry out an impact assessment on the proposed Wisbech mega-incinerator in a bid to stop the monolith from being built.

Speaking in the House of Commons on Tuesday the North East Cambridgeshire MP told Mary Creagh, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs incineration is “the dirtiest way to produce energy”.

Mr Barclay, whose Conservative party was in power when planning permission was given for the incinerator off Algores Way, made his plea during a debate on recycling and waste disposal.

He said: “The argument I am making is one against incineration. It is one that I would have thought she would support because she wants more recycling and over 30 environmental charities say it’s the dirtiest way to produce energy.

Mr Barclay said: “It is as dirty as coal. Five years of analysis from the BBC found it was the dirtiest.

“So what I’m highlighting is the contradiction between a Government that says it's pro the environment in clean energy and yet is at risk of over capacity in incineration, which is burning plastics and is harmful to the environment.

“It’s that contradiction that I’m highlighting and why the Government should publish an impact assessment.”