CAMPAIGNERS are appealing for donations to boost their legal bid to overturn plans for a new incinerator.

Parishes Against Incinerator (Pain) has launched a bid against the Environment Agency’s decision to permit a new waste plant at Rivenhall Airfield.

The campaign group hopes a judicial review process will be confirmed in the coming days.

The Environment Agency granted a permit for the incinerator back in May – a decision which meant Gent Fairhead and Indaver had permission for a new waste plant with a 35-metre chimney.

But Pain insists the permit should not have been granted because the incinerator will lead to excessive levels of pollution.

Group member Nick Unsworth said: “The Environment Agency refused a 35-metre chimney once so it makes no sense they now think it is OK.

“It appears they have allowed the client to determine the emission levels and completely change the rules.

“It’s completely the wrong way round, which is why we have begun the legal process.”

The Environment Agency previously refused plans for a waste plant with a 35m chimney, but did approve plans for a 75m chimney.

Mr Unsworth added: “Inevitably, going through the courts is going to be a costly process.

“We are going to need funds to help us challenge this properly.

“There are a lot of people who would support this judicial review so we are going to need some help from them to fight this incinerator.”

Pain says it hopes to set up a crowdfunding page online to help raise cash, but asks anyone wishing to make a donation to visit its website.

An Environment Agency spokesman said it would defend its decision if legal proceedings officially take place.

He added: “We stand by our technical assessment and remain satisfied with our decision and that the additional pollution control techniques proposed by the company will ensure that the stricter emission standards can be met.”

Indaver, which will be responsible for operating the incinerator, expects the legal challenge to centre on “technical issues” and insists it does not undermine its plans to limit pollution levels.

Spokesman Gareth Jones said: “We are aware a judicial review process has been launched to challenge the Rivenhall permit, and that the Environment Agency will defend their position.

“Nothing in this challenge calls into question whether the permit adequately protects human health or the environment, but merely raises technical legal points as to how the Environment Agency arrived at their decision.”