'A big victory for a small town' - campaigners welcome end to 'monster incinerator' plan

Developer Rolton Kilbride Limited (RKL) submitted plans for the proposed gasification plant on the the Hillthorn Industrial Park near Nissan three years ago.

Thousands of people signed petitions opposing the scheme and the planning application was rejected last year. Rolton Kilbride appealed and an inquiry was launched at the Stadium of Light in January but adjourned with the news the firm was in talks with Sunderland City Council.

Now the company has confirmed it is withdrawing the appeal after a new regeneration scheme was agreed with the council.

Tracey Young, who led campaign group No Monster Incinerator said: “It is a big victory for a small town.

"It is something that should not have been put on people’s doorsteps. The site where they were proposing to build it is just too close to schools, families, housing. It should never have been put forward as an option on that site.

"It has been three years hard work as a community. People came together out of desperation faced with the idea of what it was proposed they were going to build on that site.”

Fellow campaigner Sandra Noble added: “We have been at it since day one and I am absolutely thrilled.

”We have had people going out every week and we have also done a lot behind the scenes.

"It has been amazing, honestly.”

Coun John Kelly, whose Washington North ward covers the site, said it was ‘good to see that common sense has prevailed’.

"A development such as the one proposed would have had a negative effect on the area,” he added.

“I want to pay tribute to the local community and the community from across the city for coming together to oppose the original plan.

“This hopefully will see developers take on board concerns of local people.

“I am sure the local community will watch with interest at any new plans that are brought forward.”

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