Campaigners against a massive waste incinerator approved for Portland have suffered a further blow, after the Environment Agency said it was ‘minded to approve’ plans to burn potentially toxic waste there.

The facility, which would feature an 80-metre chimney both near people’s homes and alongside globally renowned coastline, was approved by the government despite Dorset Council firmly refusing the plan.

Now the incinerator – said to be on track to be operational by 2030 – looks set to be an even more frightening prospect, with 67 more classifications of waste, including end-of-life vehicles, allowed to be burned there.

In its draft response, the Environment Agency says it cannot consider whether the location of the incinerator is inappropriate, as this issue should be decided by the local authority.

It also says it cannot consider whether a site ‘should have a formal designation under Habitats Directive or other conservation legislation’.

Considering Dorset Council has already robustly opposed the plans, there seems little scope for hope – though campaigners are hoping that should Andy Burnham become Prime Minister he will scrap waste incinerators and halt the plans.

Many campaigners point to the irony of siting a waste incinerator in an area that has consistently topped the charts when it comes to recycling.

They say Dorset does not produce enough non-recyclable waste to keep the incinerator at capacity, meaning waste would have to be brought in from other areas, via the one already congested road to Portland.

In any case, Dorset Council says it will not use the Powerfuel Portland incinerator and will continue to use the Bridgwater incinerator in Somerset.

Reading the draft notice, it appears that toxic gases will be released by the plant, including carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, carbon, hydrogen chloride, ammonia and mercury.

While there will be limits on the amounts being released into the environment, the draft appears to acknowledge that things could go wrong – and sets out protocols to report excess emissions.

The agency writes: “We will only issue the permit variation if we are satisfied that Portland Powerfuel Limited has the appropriate systems in place to operate the incinerator without causing harm to the environment or human health.

“We have reviewed how the site will be operated, and whether it will have any impact on people living nearby and natural habitats.”

One campaigner said: “In order to fill the proposed incinerator Powerfuel will have to import over 100,000 tonnes of waste a year from out of the county, into Dorset, and across the entire length of Dorset (significantly adding to the waste miles), as Portland is the furthest point south in the county, a county which doesn’t produce enough RDF (refuse-derived fuel) for Powerfuel.”

The news came after Portland Port’s chief executive Bill Reeves was awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours.

What are Stop Portland Incinerator Campaign saying about it?

A spokesperson for Stop Portland Incinerator Campaign (SPIC) said: “The original permit was for unrecyclable household waste, but the proposed expansions would allow the incinerator to burn a further 67 categories of waste, including waste from contaminated construction sites, electrical waste and waste upholstery which are known to contain ‘forever chemicals,’ which accumulate in the body and are linked to various health impacts.

“It is notable that there were nearly 700 submissions to the Environment Agency in response to the original consultation, which indicates a highly motivated and well-informed public, overwhelmingly opposed to the granting of the permit expansion.”

Olympic sailor Etienne Stott said: “We are appalled by the Environment Agency’s position about the permit.

People would think that they are there to protect the environment and people’s health, yet it seems like they are ready to give Powerfuel a permit to pollute.

People’s concerns about hazardous emissions seem to have been disregarded and we’re being told that living close to an obviously toxic project will have no effect on our health and wellbeing. It’s bonkers!”

SPIC is holding a large-scale protest on August 1 – gather at the Jubilee Clock in Weymouth at 10am.

This will be a cross between a protest and a parade – a family-friendly, fun event. Bring something to make some noise and maybe fancy dress.

The Environment Agency’s draft approval is still at the consultation stage, and people can have their say on the plans.

You can do so by emailing pscpublicresponse@environment-agency.gov.uk or writing to Environment Agency Permitting and Support Centre, Land Team, Quadrant 2, 99 Parkway Avenue, Sheffield, S9 4WF.

Responses must be received by the July 31 deadline.