The protestors from the People Opposing Woodhurst Incinerator group (POWI) have spoken out following the end of the public inquiry.

A spokesperson for POWI said that the Envar incinerator proposal "is not only harmful in a number of ways, but also unnecessary."

POWI have rallied against the plans for over a year now, and attended the first day of the public inquiry at New Shire Hall (February 20) with banners and placards.

Many members of the protest group spoke at the public inquiry to share their concerns and objections to the incinerator.

In a statement, POWI members said: "In our view, a 12,000 tonne human and animal healthcare waste incinerator threatens our rural ay of life.

"It is proposed in the heart of farmland; next to a children's nursery; wildlife sites like the Raptor Centre and County Wildlife area, and is a minute's walk away from a residential caravan site."

The group also said that: "The promise of job creation doe not, in our view, outweigh the potential harm to the health and wellbeing of local businesses and residents.

"This includes mental health impacts from concerns around loss of income.

"The proposed incinerator would blight our rural landscape, with a towering chimney visible for miles."

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Another concern among the group was the number of HGVs that would be travelling through the villages if the proposal is approved. 

"More healthcare waste vehicles would be passing through our villages and St Ives, and HGVs loaded with toxic ash for landfill would also increase traffic congestion on our roads."

A spokesperson for Envar said: "At this moment in time, Envar does not wish to make any comments until the appeals process has been completed."