A developer has criticised a "toxic" response to its waste centre plan, saying the case in favour of the scheme was "overwhelming".
Project Genesis says its controversial Hownsgill Energy Centre plan could bring "colossal" economic benefits to County Durham.
Durham County Council refused planning permission for the proposed "energy from waste facility" which would process up to 60,000 tonnes per year of commercial and industrial unrecyclable waste, recovering heat and power from incineration, at Hownsgill Industrial Park, Consett.
Project Genesis appealed against the council's decision in a nine-day public inquiry at County Hall.
Read more: County Durham incinerator told it will be 'barely noticeable'
Its representative Andrew Tabachnik QC said in his closing statement: "This is a scheme that should be welcomed with open arms given the substantial array of weighty planning benefits that will be delivered, which far outweigh the limited impacts of the scheme.
"The appeal scheme will allow the continuation of Consett’s regeneration and bring numerous other significant public benefits.
"The case for granting planning permission is overwhelming.
"Whichever way it is looked at, this is a 'joined-up' appeal scheme, which is promoted on an entirely rational and intelligent basis, with the absolute best of motives.
"It has not deserved the toxic reception it has received from some quarters."
Read more: Inquiry told Consett waste plan benefits 'far outweigh' harm
He said Durham County Council had made "sweeping conclusions made on the basis of incomplete information" and "exaggerated" claims about harm to the landscape.
He argued the visual impact would be inevitable but limited as the site was not "some pristine area of gorgeous countryside" and "not a valued landscape", but an industrial park "where significant development is everyone’s hope and aspiration", with "extensive housing and commercial developments across wide panoramas".
He said the "bold, cuboid" building was thoughtfully and imaginatively designed, with a "slender" light grey chimney which would usually blend into the clouds.
The stack would be a "miniscule feature", as tall as wind turbines in the area and "dwarfed by Pontop Pike", and a water vapour plume would be "visible extremely infrequently", he added.
Read more: 'Unmistakable utilitarian waste centre would harm landscape'
He outlined the benefits of the scheme, saying it would prevent up to 60,000 tonnes of waste per year going to landfill, helping to improve the "grim present situation" of more than 609,000 tonnes in the region going to landfill.
He said it would be a "perfect example" of supplying power and heat to a local network with discounts which would be "a welcome and attractive incentive for all", with no objections to the plan from the industrial estate.
Project Genesis managing director Mark Short said in his evidence: “From my own discussions with third parties, I am convinced there is considerable (silent) local support for the development, particularly amongst local businesses that would directly benefit from it."
Mr Tabachnik said it was likely to save more than 532,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide in its lifetime, and this could more than double if it used carbon capture, a technology into which the government had invested "eye-watering sums".
He pointed to government support for energy from waste as "the best management option for waste that cannot be reused or recycled", helping to reduce carbon emissions, cut heating bills and wean the country off fossil fuels.
He added the scheme would make a £45m construction investment in the area and would probably be a catalyst for more plans and jobs at Hownsgill Industrial Park - still only 30% developed after 28 years - as well as enabling a "currently unviable" solar farm and a proposed electric vehicle charging facility.
Read more: Consett incinerator scheme 'could help alleviate local fuel poverty'
A £120,000-a-year fund to alleviate fuel poverty should be given "substantial weight", Mr Tabachnik asserted.
If the plan did not go ahead, he said, all these benefits would be lost.
He concluded: "Accordingly, the inspector is respectfully invited to recommend that the appeal be allowed, and the Secretary of State is respectfully invited to grant planning permission."
Read next:
Consett incinerator objectors tell inquiry it would be a 'blight' on landscape
Crowds of objectors protest against proposed energy centre
Residents speak against 'bad neighbour' incinerator plan
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