Incinerator chimney 'has less impact than pylons'

A 65-metre high chimney that would form part of a planned £60 million incinerator would make less impact on the landscape than nearby pylons, a witness at an appeal hearing has claimed.

Nigel Weir, principal landscape architect at URS Scott Wilson, said that he did not believe waste firm Veolia's proposed burner at the Battlefield Enterprise Park should be rejected on the grounds of its design.

In his summary of evidence to the inquiry, Mr Weir, who appeared as a witness for Veolia, said the scale of the proposed facility had played a part in the incinerator originally being rejected.

But he said that 'objective comparison' with nearby buildings showed that the facility would not have an 'incongruous' effect on the local landscape.

Despite the incinerator being situated close to the historic site of the Battle of Shrewsbury, Mr Weir argued that concerns about the scale of the site are not fully justified.

"The scale of the energy from waste facility has been the focus of concern in letters of objection and representations, as well as the reason for refusal," he said in evidence submitted to the inquiry.

"The existing string of pylons across the battlefield are 50 metres high and in my view would be of a greater visual impact than the slender, 65 metre high chimney.

"It is my conclusion that although potential impacts are identified, they would not unduly harm either landscape character or visual amenity," he added.

The hearing continues.

By Chris Burn