Permission was refused by Dorset Council’s Strategic and Technical Planning Committee on 24 March 2023.

The proposed development included construction of an Energy Recovery Facility (ERF) with ancillary buildings and works, gatehouse and weighbridge, parking and circulation areas, cable routes to ship berths and existing off-site electrical sub-station, with site access through Portland Port from Castletown. The planning application number is WP/20/00692/DCC.

Appeals against refusals of planning permission are submitted to the Secretary of State, and nearly all are decided by the Planning Inspectorate – a central-government executive agency.

Dorset Council is anticipating the appeal will be submitted in mid-August. Once started the council will notify all interested parties of the appeal including anyone who submitted representations to the original application including details of how to get involved. There is no requirement to resubmit representations made to the council at the application stage as Dorset Council will send these to the inspector. The case will be handled by the Planning Inspectorate, not Dorset Council.

In a small number of instances, says Dorset Council, appeals are decided by the Secretary of State. Should this occur, it is likely that an inspector will run the inquiry and will make a recommendation to the Secretary of State for his consideration. This should not affect the inquiry procedure.

Anyone who wishes to make representations at the appeal stage will need to do so directly to the Planning Inspectorate, not to Dorset Council, but only once the start date for the appeal has been confirmed.

Further guidance about taking part in planning inquiries is available here:  Guide to taking part in planning and listed building consent appeals proceeding by an inquiry – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)