AN INCINERATOR will be built in the Braintree district after the High Court threw out campaigner’s last ditch attempts to block it.

No Essex Incinerator Limited had sought to overturn the Environment Agency’s decision to approve a permit for the waste plant, which will be built with a 35 metre chimney stack in Rivenhall.

The group had hoped to alter the decision by way of judicial review but a two-day hearing at the high court saw their bid thrown out.

It means Gent Fairhead and Co can press ahead with building the incinerator, which will be based at Rivenhall Airfield.

The Environment Agency had previously refused to give a permit to Gent Fairhead and co to build the waste plant alongside a 35 metre chimney.

But they reversed the decision earlier this year after stating incinerator operators Indaver would be using the “best possible emissions technology” alongside the 35m chimney.

Opponents to the plans claim the low height of the stack will severely impact the air quality on homes in the surrounding area.

No Essex Incinerator said that the emissions from the site would be equivalent to 120,000 cars each travelling 8,000 miles a year around Braintree in Essex.

Speaking after Thursday’s ruling, Gareth Jones, a representative for Indaver which will operate the incinerator, said: "We are pleased that the Environment Agency’s permit decision has been upheld by the High Court.

"The hearing allowed the arguments for and against the permit to be considered objectively so that any doubts have been removed.

"We now look forward to continuing with the development of this project which will bring a significant investment to the area’s economy."

More to follow