PLANS for an incinerator to be built near Welshpool have been rejected by the Welsh Government.

The application by Alistair Hilditch-Brown of Broad Energy (Wales) Ltd, was to build and operate an energy recovery facility for the importation, storage and treatment of municipal, commercial and industrial waste and generation of heat and electricity which could have created 35 jobs.

But after an inspector said the plans went against official policy, and said they may have impacted on the landscape and the sustainability of the area, the Welsh Government has now rejected the plans.

As the proposal had been deemed a Development of National Significance the decision was made by Julie James MS, the Welsh Government minister for Climate Change and followed a planning hearing in March where arguments for and against the proposal were probed by a planning inspector.

Powys County Councillor for Trelystan and Trewern which includes Buttington, Amanda Jenner took to Facebook to announce the “good news”.

Cllr Jenner said:  “We’ve actually had a decision today from the Welsh Government Minister.

“The Welsh Government have refused planning permission for the incinerator. Which is just the best news that I could personally hope for, and I know many of you will agree.

“An overview of why is, they think it’s against a number of planning policies.”

In  his report, planning inspector Aidan McCooey said: “I have weighed the need for, and benefits of the proposal as set out by the applicant against the adverse sustainability, landscape and visual and other impacts of the proposal.

“The direction of travel of Welsh Government waste policy and continued efforts to reduce and eliminate waste have led to a decision that no further large scale EfW (energy from waste) plants are required in Wales.

“The evidence of continued success of waste reduction policies and the Government’s commitment to securing ambitious future targets means that the balance of considerations is such that planning permission should be refused.”

Following the advice,  Climate Change minister, Julie James MS said: “I agree with the Inspector’s recommendation and conclusions.

“I consider the application site is not in a sustainable location, fails to comply with the proximity principle and therefore fails to accord with policy.

“I also consider the proposal fails to comply with the Welsh Government’s policy for waste management.

“Finally, due to the identified significant adverse landscape and visual impacts, the application is contrary policy.

“I consider these matters outweigh the identified benefits of the proposal.

“Therefore, I hereby refuse planning permission.”

Broad Energy has been contacted and asked if it intendsto appeal against the decision.