Powerfuel Environment Agency Environmental Permit application

In November 2025, Powerfuel Portland, the developer, applied to the Environment Agency for a variation to their Waste Incinerator planning permission with a request to incinerate many more different types of waste. This is a change to the environmental permit it was awarded and was out for public consultation until 18th December 2025. The SPWI (Stop Portland Waste Incinerator) Action Group objected to Powerfuel’s application, raising concerns about emissions which could result from some of the proposed waste materials. We have spoken to Lloyd Hatton MP about this proposal, and he also objects to the application.

Our response to the Environment Agency Consultation included the following points:

• Dorset CPRE is wholly opposed to the application.
• The location of the incinerator within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Jurassic coast, noted not only for its geological and landscape features, but also as a site rich in internationally important habitats and species, is highly inappropriate. We are particularly concerned about the impact of pollutants from incineration on the sensitive calcareous chalk grasslands on the Portland Peninsula and the Fleet Lagoon, not to mention local residents.
• We disagree with the statement by the applicant that the additional waste types will not result in an increased risk to the environment.
• Weymouth’s and Portland’s roads which often pass through historic areas are unsuitable and inappropriate for road expansion.

In our opinion the environmental permit should not be extended to include additional waste.