The Agency says it is “minded to” grant a permit variation for the incinerator, known as the Portland Energy Recovery Facility, because it cannot currently find legal grounds to refuse it.
A final decision has not yet been made.
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The variation would allow the plant, being developed by Powerfuel Portland, to accept 67 additional waste streams, including plastics, treated wood, contaminated construction waste, electrical items and waste upholstery linked to so‑called “forever chemicals”.
Dorset Council has hit out at the announcement, saying it “strongly opposes” the decision.
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Council leader Cllr Nick Ireland said: “We are very disappointed that the Environment Agency – whose motto is creating a better environment for people and wildlife – can give the green light to something that does the exact opposite.
“We have been clear from the outset that we strongly oppose a waste incinerator in this sensitive location, and that position has not changed.
“The Environment Agency’s decision highlights a narrow regulatory test, but it does not address the wider risks and impacts for Dorset’s communities and environment.”
He said the council has “consistently warned” that introducing a much broader and more complex mix of waste increases uncertainty around emissions, odour and operational impacts, with potential consequences for public health and environmental quality, and raised concerns about increased waste movements and added pressure on local communities.
READ: Campaigners block Portland Port over incinerator plans
Cllr Ireland added: “Dorset does not want or need this incinerator. We will continue to speak up for residents and challenge proposals that risk our environment and communities.”
Campaigners from the Stop Portland Incinerator Campaign (SPIC) staged a protest outside Portland Castle on Saturday, June 20, during an event marking the 30th birthday of Portland Port, where the project will be built. The group handed out leaflets, flanked the entrances with banners and sang a re‑worked version of “Happy Birthday” with the lyrics “Please don’t build the incinerator” to guests, including Portland Port chief executive Bill Reeves.
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MJ Sanders, a social worker from Portland, said: “I just felt it was important to make the point to the Port that a lot of people around here are really upset and angry about their plans for this polluting incinerator.”
SPIC says the original permit was for non‑recyclable household waste, but warns the expansion increases the risk from hazardous emissions and “forever chemicals” that accumulate in the body and are linked to health impacts.
Olympic medallist and SPIC spokesperson Etienne Stott said: “We are appalled by the Environment Agency’s position about the permit… People’s concerns about hazardous emissions seem to have been disregarded and we’re being told that living close to an obviously toxic project will have no effect on our health and wellbeing. It’s bonkers.”
Portland’s Green Party also condemned the regulator’s stance.
Cllr Kia Pope, leader of the Green Group on Portland Town Council, said: “This is a crisis moment for Portland… If our community can mobilise on this scale and still feel powerless to influence decisions affecting its environment and quality of life, then the problem is bigger than Portland. The problem is the system itself.”
Developers Powerfuel, however, welcomed the position, saying the agency “could not find any evidence that would cause us to refuse the permit variation application” and arguing this confirms “there are no environmental concerns regarding the Portland project”.
Powerfuel director Giles Frampton added: “The project has now successfully cleared all planning and environmental permit requirements.
“Positive commercial discussions are progressing with a number of parties and the company expects to make further announcements later this year confirming the timeline for delivery of the project.”
Developers expect the project to be operational by 2030 and will create hundreds of jobs during construction and dozens of full time roles once completed.
A consultation on the draft permit variation and decision is open until 11.59pm on July 31, with Dorset Council, SPIC and Portland Greens urging residents to respond, and SPIC planning a large‑scale protest on August 1.
