Doubt cast over council's decision not to sell land required for £1bn energy-from-waste plant

Belfast City Council is to reconsider its decision to refuse to sell land it owns on the city's North Foreshore to make way for a £1bn power plant generating energy from waste.

Earlier this month, councillors rejected the plan to construct the facility, which could provide enough power for 40,000 homes by 2016, according to the plant's backers.

Recycled bottles
Credit: kimberlyfaye's
The plant would generate enough power from waste to run 40,000 homes

But it has emerged that the casting vote was wrongly attributed to a councillor who was not at the meeting.

Business groups, including the CBI and the Institute of Directors, have written an open letter to the council highlighting the “strong environmental, social and financial benefits” of the scheme.

If given the go-ahead, the project is expected to create 400 jobs in construction.

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