Developer scraps plans for 'monster incinerator'

Plans for a new renewable energy centre in Washington – dubbed a “monster incinerator” by protestors – have been withdrawn.

Developer Rolton Kilbride Limited (RKL) says it has scrapped the proposals after reaching a new agreement with Sunderland City Council bosses.

The proposed gasification plant, which would create energy from waste using high temperatures to break down materials without combustion, was planned for the Hillthorn Industrial Park near Nissan and intended to provide energy for the car factory.

Rolton Kilbride says the technology has been “tried and tested” in other countries including Japan, but residents raised concerns over the site’s proximity to houses and schools.

More than 10,000 people signed petitions in opposition and MP Sharon Hodgson raised the plans in the Commons.

Sunderland City Council’s planning department had recommended the scheme be given the go-ahead, arguing its negative points were “demonstrably outweighed by its benefits”.

But members of the Planning and Highways Committee were unconvinced and rejected the plans in July last year.

The developer appealed against the decision and a hearing was launched at the Stadium of Light in January.

Now the firm has confirmed it has withdrawn its plans after a new regeneration scheme was agreed with the local authority.

The latest plans for the site will be part of a larger suite of development, to be announced by Sunderland City Council tomorrow.