It has now emerged that Powerfuel has applied to the Environment Agency (EA) to broaden the waste allowed for burning at the site. Its current permit allows for domestic, commercial and industrial non-hazardous waste. But it has applied to include industrial waste from chemical processes, plastics, building waste from contaminated sites and waste from water treatment processes.
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Campaigners at a protest on Portland in opposition to the waste incinerator in October 2025 (Image: Jill Johnstone)
Campaigners claim that the rejection of the appeal and the timing of the application to the EA seems ‘like a cynical moving of the goal posts’ by the applicant.
In response a spokesperson for Powerfuel Portland said that it had applied for ‘a minor technical variation’ to its environmental permit on June 5.
They added: “In line with its statutory obligations the EA began a public consultation on November 5 that will last for six weeks. Following this the EA is expected to issue its decision.
“No changes to the environmental effects of the project have been identified as a result of the proposed changes.”
Meanwhile, the Stop Portland Incinerator Campaign (SPIC) has said it will keep fighting plans to build the £180 million incinerator at Portland Port.
Olympic gold medallist and local resident Etienne Stott remains steadfast in his opposition to the project and will continue to keep fighting.
Protesters marching through Weymouth in opposition to the waste incinerator in November 2024 (Image: Newsquest)
He said: “Powerfuel Portland’s incinerator is a threat to my health and a cloud over my future, so I intend to do everything I can to make sure I never have to breathe even one breath of this filthy incinerator’s pollution into my lungs.”
SPIC claimed it also ‘exposes Portland Port’s proclaimed Green Energy Island’ aspiration to be a ‘blatant greenwashing facade’. Campaigners added that it ‘seems unlikely’ that the port, owned by Langham Industries, will not have known about the possibility of this change to the original plans.
A spokesperson for Portland Port refuted these claims and insisted nothing has changed from what was originally planned.
The port said: “Powerfuel have responded separately and that should allay anyone’s concerns.
“However, for absolute clarity, Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) processing facilities take waste that would otherwise go to landfill.
Protesters at Ferrybridge in opposition to the waste incinerator in March 2025 (Image: Andy Jones)
“They take the waste, dry it and shred it. It is then sent to energy from waste (EfW) facilities.
“The waste that goes in to the RDF processing facility includes a very broad range of different types of waste.
“All that the EA consultation does is ensure that all these different types of waste have been listed.
“What will be used by the Portland EfW will be RDF, just as it was always going to be. The goalposts have not been moved.”
A public meeting for the community to discuss next steps will be organised, as campaigners from SPIC believes ‘there is great appetite to find ways to resist the project’, despite the final legal avenue having been closed. This will take place on on Thursday, November 20 at 7pm at Portland Social Club.
Next actions could include establishing scientific air quality monitoring, peaceful direct action and further mass protests.
The deadline for the public consultation into the changes to the environmental permit ends on Thursday, December 18.
Residents can voice their views here: https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/psc/dt5-1db-powerfuel-portland-limited/