More than 600 angry residents marched in protest against plans for a new waste incinerator.
Residents of Weymouth and Portland took part in a march as a protest against the government’s decision to build a new incinerator in the area.
Plans for the incinerator were rejected by Dorset Council prompting an appeal and a public inquiry, however this decision was then overturned by the Secretary of State and the incinerator was given the green light.
The protest in Weymouth was organised by the Stop Portland Incinerator Campaign, which has highlighted the environmental impacts the incinerator will have on the area.
It began at 11am outside the 19th century Jubilee Clock on the Weymouth Esplanade.
Activists made speeches supporting the protests before the locals marched with banners and shouted in opposition to the incinerator.
Several members of the Great Britain sailing team, who train in Weymouth, were present.
Planning permission was granted in September to build a large waste incinerator on the Isle of Portland, but the decision was met with huge backlash.
Protestors hold up letters spelling out ‘No Incinerator’ on Weymouth seafront
Dorset Council has said that it will not be taking legal action against the government’s decision to allow the waste incinerator as it cannot justify spending such a large sum of money on a case they are not sure they can win.
Local campaigners are attempting to take the case to the High Court and are now trying to crowdfund the legal fees.
It is believed around £40,000 will initially be required for legal fees. Weymouth Town Council have agreed to contribute £2,000.
Powerfuel Portland has previously said that the incinerator will not treat hazardous or clinical waste, instead safely using the latest technology to safely and efficiently produce low-carbon energy from non-recyclable waste.
The incinerator will be built at Portland Port which previously caused controversy by agreeing to moor the Bibby Stockholm barge, which housed 500 asylum seekers, but will be closed in January.
Former Portland councillor and climate activist Giovanna Lewis said before the protest: ‘There is no doubt people are very cross and disappointed and just find it incredible that this is going ahead and they want to show their feelings about it.
‘We have raised over £70,000 in the past six weeks, £30,000 is from the public, that just shows you how local people feel.
Crowds march with placards, one which says ‘stop toxic fumes now’, another says ‘Starmer We want change not more of the same’
Protestors hold up signs saying ‘you must be choking’ and ‘Langham Wine profit from pollution’ – Langham wine has the same owners as Portland Port
A sign on a bus shelter on Portland says ‘Stop the Incinerator’
A huge crowd marches through Weymouth Town Centre in protest against the incinerator
Campaigner Giovanna Lewis (centre) leads protestors on a march down Weymouth seafront
Two young boys on Weymouth seafront hold up a sign saying ‘Polluting the air? Don’t you dare’
Two ladies hold up signs, one says ‘The Royal manor of Portland. Respect It!’ and the other is ‘NO’ written in large red letters
More than 600 protestors are thought to have taken part in the demonstration in Weymouth
‘Portland Port continues to bring things to Portland that we don’t want, first they bring in the (Bibby Stockholm) barge and now they are hell-bent on bringing this atrocious incinerator to the island.
‘The community is strongly against this, we we will try every way that we can to stop it
‘The message from Portland is that we are not giving up and we will fight this all the way.’
Cllr Jon Orrell, Mayor of Weymouth said: ‘The damage is to our unique world heritage status Jurassic Coast. It is not the right place.
‘We have tried local democracy. Town councils for Portland and Weymouth fought it. Dorset council planning rejected it. We have been let down by a junior Labour minister who overturned local people and democracy.’
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