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The Environment Agency has launched a consultation into a new incinerator near Newton Aycliffe in County Durham.
In the application, Fornax has applied for the site to be used for hazardous and clinical waste for incineration.
Minutes from the Heighton Lane Incinerator Information Group reveal the original planning application was initially reviewed by Durham Council in 2021, however a strong case built by local residents lead to that application being refused.
Council Objection
In a statement issued on 11 June a spokesperson for Great Aycliffe Town Council said “Great Aycliffe Town Council has joined with the local community in vigorously opposing the thermal heat treatment incinerator at Newton Aycliffe since the first application for planning permission four years ago.
“The Town Council engaged a local planning expert to speak on its behalf at Durham County Council’s Planning Committee and later at the Planning Appeal, alongside a number of Town Councillors and County Councillors. As residents will be aware, planning permission was eventually granted by a Planning Inspector, following a public Planning Appeal in 2022.
“The Environment Agency is currently running a public consultation regarding the granting of an Environmental Permit to Fornax (North East) Ltd to operate the incinerator. Great Aycliffe Town Council discussed the application at a meeting of its Environment Committee on 28th May and has submitted to the Environment Agency’s consultation an objection to the granting of a permit, on the grounds of serious concerns over long-term effects on health from emissions, and the possibility of odour pollution. We have also written to Alan Strickland MP requesting his support.”.
Health Risks
According to a 2025 report published in The Green House Journal called Health Impacts of Modern Municipal Solid Waste Incinerators: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Emissions of dioxins (PCDD/Fs) and heavy metals (e.g., cadmium, arsenic) are minimised in modern incinerators meeting strict regulations like the EU Waste Incineration Directive (2019/31/EU). A 2025 review noted no consistent evidence of increased cancer risk (e.g., non-Hodgkin lymphoma, lung cancer) near modern MSWIs, unlike older facilities.
However modern incinerators have operated for a shorter time, so long-term health studies (20+ years) are limited. Latency periods for cancers or chronic diseases require extended monitoring.
Environment Agency Statement
Gary Wallace, area environment manager for the Environment Agency in the North East, said: “Our regulatory controls are in place to protect people and the environment and we will carry out a detailed and rigorous assessment of Fornax’s permit application.
“We may only refuse a permit application if it does not meet the legal requirements under environmental legislation, including if it will have an unacceptable impact on the environment or harm human health.
“We understand there is local interest in the proposed site, and we welcome comments from the public and interested groups on environmental factors that people feel are important”
Call to Action
To view the consultation visit the website or you can email your views to [email protected]
Andrew Clifford is a journalist at The Sentinel Current with a diploma in journalism. Based in Tyne & Wear, he specialises in crime reporting and amplifying voices in the community. Andrew follows The Sentinel Current’s editorial guidelines to provide accurate and balanced news coverage.
- Andrew Cliffordhttps://www.thesentinelcurrent.com/author/adminandrew/
- Andrew Cliffordhttps://www.thesentinelcurrent.com/author/adminandrew/
- Andrew Cliffordhttps://www.thesentinelcurrent.com/author/adminandrew/
- Andrew Cliffordhttps://www.thesentinelcurrent.com/author/adminandrew/
