New plan for controversial West Norfolk incinerator site

Campaigners spent years protesting against plans for an incinerator at The Willows near King's Lynn. Credit: ITV News Anglia.

A new gas-fired power station could be built on a site previously earmarked for a controversial - and eventually aborted - waste incinerator in West Norfolk.

Norfolk County Council said it had been notified of a plan by EP UK Power Development Ltd for the plant at The Willows at Saddlebow near King's Lynn.

In April 2014, the authority decided to scrap proposals for a so-called 'energy from waste' scheme, breaking its contract with developer Cory Wheelabrator.

It cost the county nearly £34m and followed years of protests and objections from people living nearby and politicians.

Since then, the site, which is owned by the county council, has remained part of the Norfolk Minerals and Waste Development Framework.

Today council leader Cliff Jordan confirmed The Willows would be taken out of the local waste plan.

If approved, the new power station could create up to 60 permanent jobs and a large number of constructions jobs and opportunities for supply companies.