Plans for a biomass plant in West Thurrock have been thrown out.

A planning committee at Thurrock Council made the decision tonight much to the delight of campaigners who’ve been fighting the application for months.

Partners Procter and Gamble, Balfour Beatty and Nexterra made the application for the site, which would’ve create renewable energy in the form of heat and power from electricity and steam from recycled wood in the form of woodchips, to power the P&G plant next door.

A lengthy debate at the committee, which lasted nearly two hours, eventually saw a decision made.

Members had to put forward specific reasons for refusal because it went against officer advice.