Toxic waste plans resurface

Cory were given permission to build at Seal Sands

A controversial toxic waste incinerator could be built on Teesside - more than a decade after it was first given planning permission.

Cory Environmental was given permission to build a state-of-the-art incinerator on Seal Sands amidst the highest concentration of chemical manufacturing plants in western Europe.

The company, which said the plant could destroy 30,000 metric tons of toxic waste every year, was given permission after a lengthy public inquiry.

Concerns were raised it would need to import waste from abroad to keep its burner firing at full capacity.

The plan had appeared to have been dead and buried

Peter Goodwin

Economic recession meant it was never built, but now Stockton Borough Council set to rubber stamp the old permission and the burner may finally be fired up.

A final decision on permission has been deferred.

Environmental groups, who opposed the original application, say they are surprised it is back in the picture after so long.

Peter Goodwin of the Green Party - who was one of 60,000 people who signed a petition against the incinerator in 1990 - told BBC Look North he was still fearful toxic waste could be brought from abroad.

Council opposition

He said: "It is good news that it [the decision] has been deferred because there has been virtually no public discussion.

"The plan had appeared to have been dead and buried... and we hoped the industry would learn to produce less toxic work than they do.

"They seem to be a bit coy about where they seem to think the waste will come from. We would like them to make it a bit clearer

"I really think it is up to Stockton Council and neighbouring councils to get their act together this time and put up a bit of opposition to it."