'Get rid of the Smoggies label' as £40m hazardous waste processing plant is blocked

A drawing of the proposed facility included with planning documents
-Credit:Howarth Litchfield/CSG


Plans for a new processing plant to treat hazardous waste on Teesside have been rejected by the slimmest of margins.

The proposed incinerator, intended for land at Boundary Road West within the Wilton International complex close to Grangetown, was set to burn materials like paint sludge, resins/varnishes, detergents, pharmaceuticals, lab chemicals, pesticides, clinical waste and heavy fuel oil to generate energy. Teesside Live readers have been discussing the project in our comments section.

Despite planners recommending the project go ahead, Redcar and Cleveland Council’s regulatory committee members voted 5-4 against granting permission. CSG, the firm behind the application and already present on the site, argued that their £40m investment would create more than 20 high-quality jobs.

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Tom Casey, from Stop Incineration North East, criticised the portrayal of such facilities using "greenwashing terms" and raised issues over the public consultation process. Ray Casey, another member of the group, expressed his worries about Grangetown's plethora of existing incinerators and questioned both the waste's origins and its storage methods.

Councillor Lynn Pallister, who serves the Grangetown ward and sits on the committee, echoed these concerns citing the sheer "mass" of incinerators in the area and the potential health risks they posed to residents. One Teesside Live reader said: “This process is safe and would have brought legitimate investment into the area and created 20 well paid jobs.”

Turnpan agrees: “Hopefully an appeal will see this nimby decision overturned.” Smaff added: “This will be overturned on appeal that's for sure and cost the council thousands in costs. Who will pay and suffer in the end, householders?”

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Andylad693 thinks: “There would have been just more air pollution and hazardous things being brought to the area.” Whilst another stated: "Yes right on the edge of where people have to live. If it was completely nasties and emissions free then I would approve, but that is not the case."

Another Teesside Live reader suggested: “They could always place a barge on the Thames, moored right next to the Parliament building, burn the waste there and see if the real decision makers like it. Grangetown lives matter!”

Juninho96 agrees: “With all the industry it wouldn't surprise me if more of this waste is made up here than anywhere else in the country. Seems right that it should be dealt with where it's made, rather than sent to other places in the country or to foreign countries.”

Bigbry1965 asks: “Why is this waste not sent to the Fine Environmental Services Seal Sands Facility which is a High Temperature Incinerator? Why do we need another Incinerator in the area? I thought the idea was to get rid of the Smoggies label!”

How do you feel about the plant being refused planning permission? Is the decision good for the environment or will it impact jobs in the area? Have your say in our comments section.