THE Welsh Government has confirmed it wants to impose a moratorium on new incinerators after Labour’s election victory – leaving fresh questions over plans for a waste site at Buttington.

A government spokesman confirmed it will be working to implement a moratorium on new incinerator developments, in line with the party's manifesto commitments.

Plans for the incinerator were submitted to Welsh Government planners last month by Broad Energy Wales, and have since been met with disapproval from residents in the area of Buttington.

Despite the Welsh Government outlining its intentions to suspend similar developments, CEO of Broad Energy Wales, Alistair Hilditch-Brown, believes the incinerator would play a vital part in helping the government achieve its net-zero carbon ambitions.

He said: "We continue to work with the Welsh Planning Inspectorate as the Buttington Energy Recovery Facility application progresses through the proper due processes.

"While we admire the Welsh Government's drive to achieve a zero waste, zero carbon future, we remain convinced that there is a need for the Buttington project and that it will have a vital part to play in helping the Government achieve its net zero ambitions.

“The project will also bring greater benefits to the area, with the expected development of the wider business park at Buttington Quarry creating new jobs and economic investment, the production of sustainable energy for the benefit of the community, and the installation of electric vehicle charging stations for commercial and private use.

“We are working closely with our logistics partners who will be planning to move materials to and from the site using a fleet of electric battery lorries, minimising emissions and further reducing the environmental impact of the project.”

Mr Hilditch-Brown also explained how the facility would reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill.

He added that it would also generate low-carbon energy.

“We continue to believe it will be a significant step in the right direction towards helping Wales to become a zero-waste nation by 2050,” he added.

“[It] will provide a much-needed facility for businesses in Powys and the surrounding area and will contribute a significant amount of green energy for consumption."

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “The new Welsh Government will be working to implement the manifesto commitment for a moratorium on new incinerator developments.”