A council leader has sought reassurances over a bid to build a controversial incinerator to ensure it complies with regulations.
East Suffolk Council leader Caroline Topping believes that there are concerns about the residual-waste incinerator facility that VC Cooke Ltd proposes to build on the Ellough Industrial Estate near Beccles.
Suffolk County Council granted permission for the build in February, but VC Cooke still requires an environmental permit from East Suffolk Council to operate.
READ MORE: 'We are not the rubbish tip of East Anglia': Controversial incinerator plans approved
Cllr Topping said: “It’s good to receive proposals for new businesses in our district, and we consider them all according to our statutory duty.
"But local residents are extremely worried about this development.
"Suffolk County Council was also split on the merits of the proposal, with permission granted on a casting vote and without an environmental impact assessment.
"There are clearly concerns that still need to be addressed, and we urge VC Cooke not to make any unrecoverable spending decisions before receiving all the necessary permits.
"We hope that they will schedule a public meeting soon and listen carefully to residents.”
READ MORE: Repairs under landmark structure at town's historic mill set to begin to stop bridge collapsing
Cllr Toby Hammond, cabinet member for economic development and ward councillor for Bungay and Wainford said: “There are plans to build a large number of new houses just over the Beccles Relief Road, plus a new primary school and outdoor recreation areas.
"There are also other primary schools in close proximity to the site. So we have concerns about air quality, especially with Ella’s Law currently receiving strong cross-party support in Parliament.”
Ella’s Law is the proposed Clean Air (Human Rights) Act, named after Ella Adoo Kissi Debrah, a nine-year-old girl from London who died of a fatal asthma attack caused by local air pollution.
VC Cooke were approached for comment on their plans.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here