Controversial plans to build a £60 million waste incinerator in Shrewsbury have been dramatically thrown out.

Members of Shropshire Council’s strategic planning committee yesterday voted unanimously to reject Veolia’s development to the sound of rapturous applause following nearly four hours of heated debate which saw residents involved a furious row over their comments.

The row caused an adjournment as the chairman tried to regain order after residents objected to comments about their “irrational fears” over potential health risks associated with the proposed burner.

At one point Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski was warned by a council solicitor he could be thrown out after he interrupted Nick Taylor, the council’s assistant director for strategy and development.

Mr Taylor incurred the wrath of the 70-strong crowd when he appeared to dismiss their concerns.

An artist's impression of the proposed waste incinerator at Battlefield

Mr Kawczynski later vowed to report Mr Taylor to the Secretary of State.

Complaint

He said: “Thankfully we live in a democracy and I’m extremely concerned with some of the things Mr Taylor has said.

“I will be writing to the Secretary of State to make a formal complaint.”

Mr Taylor appeared to backtrack after making the comment.

He said: “I’m not trying to sum up the discussion I’m trying to draw planning issues together as set out in the officer’s report.”

Councillor Jean Jones proposed that councillors reject the plans for several reasons including two main points; that it was not acceptable to have a mass burner as this had been excluded in the local waste plan; and also that the impact on the visual landscape by the 65 metre high incinerator next to the historically significant Battlefield site.

Members of the committee also stated one of their reasons for refusal as the perception by the public of health risks, citing similar plans that were thrown out in Kidderminster.

Councillor Tudor Bebb said: “Just because an incinerator is needed is not a reason to accept it.”

Councillor Joyce Barrow said: “The question for me is would I be happy to have someone I care about to live close to an energy from waste plant?

“I don’t actually have a problem with the site but it’s the health risks I have a problem with.”

By Russell Roberts and Emma Kasprzak