The Environment Agency (EA) announced today that it had granted the variation following a review of comments submitted during a consultation on its draft decision for the project ear-marked for Portland Port.
Approximately 296 responses were received between June 19 and July 31.
The variation changes the types of waste that can be accepted at the proposed Portland facility.
The original permit allowed for domestic, commercial and industrial non-hazardous waste.
However, the new permit would allow for industrial waste from chemical processes, plastics, building waste from contaminated sites and waste from water treatment processes to be burned at the
The EA said it had considered concerns raised by members of the public, including emissions to air, odour, noise and arrangements for the storage and handling of waste, and was satisfied suitable controls would be in place.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the government regulator, said: “Protecting the environment and enabling waste infrastructure go hand-in-hand.
“We are satisfied that the permit for Portland Powerfuel will ensure a high level of protection for the environment.”
The agency said it can only refuse a permit application if it does not meet legal requirements under environmental legislation, including where there is evidence an activity would cause significant harm to the environment or human health.
It added that planning and permitting are separate processes and that issues such as the suitability of a location or traffic concerns cannot be considered as part of the environmental permitting process.
The decision marks another milestone for the controversial Portland Energy Recovery Facility, which has faced years of opposition from campaigners.
Earlier this year Dorset Council objected to the proposed permit variation, arguing important questions remained over greenhouse gas emissions, climate resilience and the potential implications of permitting a wider range of waste streams at the facility.
Campaigners also raised concerns about some of the proposed additional waste categories, arguing they include industrial and chemical-based materials.
Developers Powerfuel Portland previously said the £150 million project would bring significant investment to Portland, create hundreds of construction jobs and dozens of permanent roles once operational.
The company has also said it expects the facility to be operational by 2030, with a detailed construction programme due to be published following the securing of the necessary consents.
The scheme secured planning permission last year after Dorset Council’s original refusal was overturned on appeal by a government planning inspector following a lengthy legal battle.
The final permit and decision document can be viewed here: DT5 1PP, Portland Powerfuel Limited: variation notice issued – EPR/AP3304SZ/V002 – GOV.UK.