A CONTROVERSIAL waste processing plant was given planning permission by the Government after Liverpool City Council refused to let it go ahead.

A planning inspector yesterday overturned the City Council’s decision to block plans for the Garston plant.

Jack Allen Holdings can now start building its £35m centre, which will be able to “bake” 150,000 tonnes of rubbish a year.

Planning inspector Elizabeth Ord refused to accept that the plant will hamper the regeneration of Garston, which had been claimed by local activists rallying against the plans.

They said its location just metres from new housing estates would put off potential future home buyers and choke off the area’s recovery.

But, in a decision published yesterday, Ms Ord said: “On my site visit, there was evidence of considerable ongoing building activity in proximity to the site, and many newly built homes appeared to have been sold or were reserved. This is not indicative of a particularly depressed housing market.

“Whilst I acknowledge the strength of feeling amongst local residents and other interested parties, I take the view that there is no reasonable basis for these fears. They are founded on misconceptions of the proposal’s effects and are not supported by a robust evidence base.”