New incinerator planned near moor

The proposed plant could end up taking waste from across south Devon

A new incinerator to create energy from waste could be built on the edge of Dartmoor in Devon.

Viridor Waste Management said it hoped to build a plant on land it owns at Lee Mill, near Ivybridge.

It is one of a number of companies bidding to win a new joint contract to handle waste for Plymouth, Torbay and south Devon.

But some local residents object to the Viridor plan, saying alternatives, like anaerobic digesters, would be better.

We've been looking at developing facilities here for the past two or three years Howard Ellard, Viridor

Viridor currently holds the contract to dispose of Plymouth's rubbish.

At the moment it transports 275,000 tonnes of waste annually from the city into Cornwall because the city's former landfill site has reached full capacity.

Howard Ellard, from Viridor, said: "The Lee Mill site is identified in Devon's waste local plan as being suitable for a range of waste facilities.

"As the site owner we've been looking at developing facilities here for the past two or three years."

He said that even if Viridor were not successful in winning the contract to handle south west Devon's waste it would still be keen to build an incinerator at Lee Mill to deal with any extra rubbish.

Some local residents objects to plans for the site near Dartmoor

The South West Devon Waste Partnership, which has a £1.5bn, 30-year, energy-from-waste plan, is due to announce a shortlist of possible solutions to the area's waste management needs in November.

A decision will be made about preferred bidders next spring.

Other possible sites for incinerators include Ernesettle and Devonport in Plymouth.

Planning permission for incinerators in Exeter and Barnstaple is already being sought.