Company behind Plymouth's controversial incinerator responds to locals' concerns

The company behind Plymouth's controversial waste-to-energy plant have answered criticisms that it's blighting Devonport dockyard.

The waste incinerator takes in a quarter of a million tonnes of trash every year, from Plymouth, Torbay, and parts of Devon. The burnt rubbish provides all the heat and power needed for Devonport dockyard and some power into the National Grid.

However, people living locally have said they'd had problems with smell and noise, and that it will always be a blot on the landscape.

MVV Environment has responded to concerns, saying they've done a lot of work to make sure the building is fully sealed and no bad smells can escape:

They also say work has been done to make sure there is no noise pollution:

People living nearby say the company is very good at responding to complaints through Jane Ford, the community liaison manager:

Estate agent Paul Stone says the incinerator will have only a marginal effect on property values.

"The view they had previously was a view over the dockyard which, with the best will in the world, wasn't one of the prettiest views anyway. So in terms of value I think you will have certain people who will be put off by it. They're lower value properties anyway, so in percentage terms the drop in their value was a smaller amount than if they'd been larger properties in that area."

That's little consolation to Ruth Crawford who bought her flat six months before the plans were unveiled.