A CONTROVERSIAL £12 million energy from waste incinerator at Raikes Lane has been approved by Bolton's planning councillors.

They have given Greater Manchester Waste permission to go ahead with the detailed design of the scheme.

It is the second blow in a week for environmentalists who have been fighting the proposals.

Bolton man Roger Kirkman's legal battle to block the plan ended in defeat in the Appeal Court in London last week.

Councillors originally gave planning permission for proposals to create a state-of-the-art plant to provide electricity a year ago.

Yesterday they approved the detailed design of the development.

Environmental group Friends of the Earth had put in objections saying it posed a threat to the environment and public health.

Councillors were told that the principle of the development had already been decided when the previous planning permission was given.

In addition, the Environment Agency has already approved the scheme and there would be strict checks on emissions.

All councillors voted in favour of the scheme apart from Harper Green Labour Cllr Laurie Williamson.

He said: "I disagree with the whole policy on this.

"Bolton's air quality is poor and I don't think that we should be seen to be contributing to that.

"I just don't think that we should be putting pollution into the atmosphere."

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