The Government has said a further parliamentary debate on energy-from-waste plants is not required.
Mary Creagh, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Nature, made the decision after South West Wiltshire MP Dr Andrew Murrison raised concerns about the impact of waste incinerators, calling them "dirty, environmentally damaging, potentially dangerous, and wholly unnecessary."
Dr Murrison has been a vocal opponent of the waste incinerator in Westbury and previously introduced a Private Member’s Bill calling for a moratorium on such facilities, but the bill was dropped when Parliament was prorogued earlier this year.
Ms Creagh said: "This government has already taken steps to limit further EfW [Energy from Waste] developments in England in the context of the latest evidence on our future residual, i.e. non-recyclable, waste treatment capacity needs.
"On December 30, 2024, Defra published the Residual Waste Infrastructure Capacity Note and an accompanying statement, which set out that government will only back new EfW projects that meet strict conditions.
"Proposals for new facilities will have to demonstrate a clearly defined domestic residual waste treatment capacity need to facilitate the diversion of residual waste away from landfill, or enable the replacement of older, less-efficient facilities."
Ms Creagh said: "As we have continued to engage with you and other parliamentarians on this issue in some detail, I do not believe that a further parliamentary debate is required.
"However, we will continue to listen to your concerns about the issue and keep you updated on developments as set out above."
The Government has confirmed that new EfW plants must also show they do not "lock in" materials that could be recycled, and must comply with the long-term statutory target of reducing residual waste to 287kg per person by 2042 – a 50 per cent reduction from 2019 levels.
Ms Creagh has also ruled out revoking consent or halting construction for EfW plants that already have planning approval, warning that this could damage investor confidence and lead to financial liabilities for the Government.
Dr Murrison has said he intends to reintroduce his cross-party bill when a new parliamentary session begins.
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