Hampshire Waste Services Project Director, John Collis, has welcomed the decision by Hampshire County Council's Planning and Transportation Committee to grant permission for an Energy Recovery Incinerator off the A33 near Basingstoke.

He commented: "We feel it is the right decision and has been taken after consideration of all the views from interested parties. It was very helpful to have previously received authorisation from the Environment Agency, giving a clear steer on an issue that we know is close to local people, that the plant will be safe.

"We will now proceed with the development of the final engineering designs and work on site is likely to start next year."

The facility will provide a significant element of Project Integra, helping to recycle and dispose of the waste arising in the North of the County in a much more sustainable and effective way. The combination of the architectural design and the state of the art standards to which the plant is being built, will see that Hampshire leads the way in waste management into the 21st century.  

Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, now has 21 days to provide final ratification of the committee's decision.

17 November 1999