ONE of the Wiltshire councillors who voted against plans to change the technology for the controversial £200 million proposed energy from waste incinerator in Westbury says she is "extremely disappointed" with the decision to give approval.

Cllr Sarah Gibson, a Liberal Democrat member of the Wiltshire Council strategic planning committee, was one of four councillors who voted against the scheme.

The committee voted 7-4 to approve the change.

Cllr Gibson, who is also mayor of Bradford on Avon, said: "I am extremely disappointed that despite voting to accept the Climate Emergency in March 2019, with an aim to make Wiltshire carbon neutral by 2030, Wiltshire Council will now be responsible for a huge carbon emitting incinerator in Westbury, when it should be looking at increasing recycling opportunities and more environmentally-friendly means for disposing of any non-recyclable waste.”

Up to 18 town and parish councils objected to the plans by Northacre Renewable Energy Ltd to switch its technology for the proposed new facility from advanced thermal treatment to moving grate combustion.

Protesters are now pinning their hopes on the Government calling in the scheme or, failing that, will press for a judicial review of the planning decision.

NREL is still waiting for the Environment Agency to decide its application for an operating permit for the incinerator, which would create more than 40 jobs and handle more than 243,000 tonnes of waste a year.