Pickles' delay on incinerator costs council £33.7mn

The Planning Inspector’s report on the abandoned Willow energy from waste incinerator in Norfolk has been published under the Environmental Information Regulations.

The report consists of 287 pages. It examines all of the issues around the project and concluded with the recommendation that “planning permission is granted for an energy from waste and recycling facility at Willows Business Park subject to conditions as set out in the report.” In April last year, the County Council decided to withdraw from the contract on the grounds the failure to secure planning permission and the continuing delay means the project no longer represented cost efficiency.

George Nobbs, Leader of the County Council said:

“The publication of this report is yet another episode in this sad, sorry saga. People may wish to reflect on the fact that this report was withheld by Mr Pickles’ department for 16 months, by which time the Willows project – which has cost so much to Norfolk people - was dead and buried.” "The application has been withdrawn, the Council has taken incineration off the agenda for good, and it is only now that this report has been released by the government. I suppose this is what people mean by 'the smoking gun'."

Toby Coke, Chairman of the Council's Environment, Development and Transport Committee added: “It is perfectly clear that there was a political agenda being followed in delaying the planning inspector’s report and council taxpayers in Norfolk have been left with a huge bill as a result. All the talk about Mr Pickles carefully considering the arguments have been exposed for what they were – complete rubbish. Eric Pickles should do the honourable thing and stump up the £33.7m that his delay has cost Norfolk taxpayers."