Billy Bragg joins 'protestival' against incinerator

Musician and activist Billy Bragg is to perform at a "protestival" to support a campaign against a planned incinerator on the Dorset coast.

Powerfuel Portland has permission to build an energy recovery facility at Portland Port but says it will not result in an increased risk to the environment.

Bragg, who lives in Dorset, said he was happy to support the community and fundraising event at the Little Ship pub on Saturday.

He said: "We must make sure that the people of Portland, Weymouth and surrounding areas never have to inhale its toxic fumes and that this stain on our beautiful coast never gets built."

The application for the waste burning facility was given the go-ahead by the government in September 2024, despite initially being refused by Dorset Council.

Campaigners say the incinerator would cause air pollution and damage tourism but the Court of Appeal rejected a legal challenge by the Stop Portland Waste Incinerator (SPWI) group following a hearing in October.

Powerfuel has said the £180m project would allow Dorset to manage its non-recyclable waste in-county, create jobs and boost the local economy.

Dorset Council says it remains opposed to the facility and has no plans to send waste there.

Protestival is being organised by Stop Portland Incinerator Campaign (SPIC) and will feature live music, art activities, an auction, raffle and barbecue.

Bragg, who will be touring Canada and the US from next week, said: "For me it was an easy decision to get involved with the protestival.

"I'm proud to support this community and lend my weight to the fight."

Etienne Stott of SPIC said: "We're looking forward to the protestival - music, art and culture are a great way to reach people who may not have heard about our battle against this heinous burner.

"In a way, it is an antidote to the continued shadow that the thoughtless developers continue to cast over our future."