Firm hopes campaigners get on side with Wisbech incinerator
Pre-construction work is under way
The company behind a £300 million incinerator in Wisbech hopes those fighting the plans will back the project.
Pre-construction work - such as vegetation clearance - is taking place before building is due to get started on land off Algores Way towards the end of this year.
MVV Environment Limited say the incinerator will generate more than 50 megawatts of electricity and recover energy from around half a million tonnes of household, commercial and industrial waste a year.
"The truth is it (waste) has to be dealt with somewhere and we believe the Wisbech site is the best site for dealing with residual waste in the East Anglia and East Midlands regions," Paul Carey, managing director at MVV, said.
In February last year, the incinerator was approved by the Government before an environmental permit was granted in May.
Mr Carey said MVV has followed "the due process laid down by law" in order to win approval for the site.
Incinerator fears 'unfounded'
The plans have raised concerns amongst campaigners, such as pollution levels, more traffic to and from the site and its location.
But Mr Carey downplayed these issues.
"I think once the scheme is operational, it will soon become apparent their fears are unfounded," he said.
"There are economic benefits to be had out of this project and I'm confident in time, those who have been voicing their objections will come to understand and realise it's not quite the thing they imagined.
"There are people who accept this kind of thing should go ahead, that it does creates jobs, economic investment, so the protesters are not the only ones with an opinion."
A meeting to allow people to discuss the project will be taking place at the Oasis Community Centre in Wisbech next month.