An MP has told a public inquiry of his opposition to an incinerator plan, saying it would hinder or halt a County Durham town's progress as a tourist spot.
North West Durham MP Richard Holden gave evidence to an inquiry into the plans at the city's County Hall.
Developer Project Genesis is appealing against Durham County Council's decision to refuse planning permission for a "energy from waste facility" at Hownsgill Industrial Estate in Consett.
Read more: Controversial £35m Consett incinerator plans REJECTED by councillors
Mr Holden said thousands of his constituents had organised themselves in opposition to the plan, he had received hundreds of letters and had dozens of surgery appointments, with more than 1,000 people completing a survey outlining their concerns.
He said: "Local employment is welcome, however the handful of jobs that will be created by this development on this prime site near the centre of the town are outweighed by huge outpouring of local opposition to the proposal.
"There is broad concern locally that new businesses would stop forming and other businesses would leave the area if the incinerator goes ahead.
Read more: Call to drop appeal for controversial incinerator in Consett
"There are far better and more sustainable ways to see energy production provided, including ensuring renewables are part of the housing developments that almost encircle the proposed incinerator site.
"Consett and the surrounding area – especially around Weardale and the Derwent Valley - is emerging in tourism and hospitality with the Coast To Coast cycle route and many walks.
"It is a beautiful area. An incinerator would set back this progress at best and stop it at worst."
He said government policy was "reduce-reuse-recycle", adding: "In such an environment, increasing incinerator capacity when demand is expected to – at a minimum - halve over the next two decades seems strange.
"Especially when all political parties and government backbenchers have pressed to go further, not to delay more action.
"It is clear to me that the local factors and national policy factors weigh heavily in support of the initial decision by the council and I call upon the inspector to advise the Secretary of State to follow the council’s initial decision."
Read more: New basement cocktail bar to open in Darlington indoor market
The proposed plant would process up to 60,000 tonnes of fuel from commercial and industrial waste per year, operating 24 hours a day with a 50m chimney stack from the 1.64-hectare former steelworks site.
The Say No To Consett Incinerator Community Campaign Group says the facility would be "a blight on this fabulous landscape... being forced on a town by a privileged few who have been deaf to the voice of the people of the town."
Durham County Council says the plan would harm the special qualities of the nearby North Pennines area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB), the "scenic beauty and unspoiled landscape", and a heritage asset in a Grade II listed 18th-century farmhouse, which would not be outweighed by benefits.
Project Genesis says the £45m scheme would "deliver a substantial array of weighty planning benefits", provide much-needed waste management, generate heat and electricity with proposed discounts and a £120,000-per-year fund to ease fuel poverty, save more than 500,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide, and bring jobs and regeneration.
Read next:
Stockton drugs raid sees front door smashed down and people arrested
Ryanair strikes Spain airports: Airline shares important message with UK holidaymakers
Middlesbrough corner shop shut down after HMRC crackdown
What do you think of the plans? Why not leave a comment on this story. Go to the top of this story and leave your thoughts.
If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here