The historic site of the Battle of Shrewsbury would not suffer ‘substantial harm’ from the creation of a £60 million incinerator 200 metres away from it, a planning appeal has heard.

Andrew Harris, an associate at URS Scott Wilson, said that waste firm Veolia’s plans to build the facility on the Battlefield Enterprise Park should not be rejected on the grounds of its potential effects on the site.

If it gets he go-ahead, the incinerator would stand 28 metres tall and would have a 65 metre chimney – leading opponents of the scheme to claim it would affect the look of the battlefield.

But in his summary of evidence presented to an inquiry held at Shirehall, Mr Harris, said the design of the incinerator had taken into account the proximity of the battlefield.

“The proposed development is within the setting of the registered battlefield and elements of the design, including detailed consideration of massing, alignment and materials have been included in response to this aspect of the appeal site’s location,” he said.

“These elements of the design determine that the development proposed for the appeal site only has a minor impact on the setting of the registered area.

“The development will not cause substantial harm to the asset. The significance of the battlefield is expressed principally in respect of the heritage values that are ascribed to the site itself and the events there. The ridge, the western hollow, the ridge and furrow and other aspects of the battlefield site’s topography are all unaffected.”

But representatives of the Battlefield 1403 visitor centre, which looks after the site, say the proposed incinerator would damage the look of the site.

Niall Blackie, representing Battlefield 1403, said earlier in the inquiry the Battle of Shrewsbury played an important part in British history and heritage aspects should be taken into consideration when a decision is made on the planned burner.

The hearing continues.

By Chris Burn