Health promise over incinerator

Campaigners fear the incinerator will pose a health risk

A full assessment will be carried out before a licence is granted for a waste incinerator in Sutton Courtenay, Oxfordshire County Council has said.

Council leader Keith Mitchell made the pledge after a motion by Lib Dem councillor Jean Fooks calling for an independent health risk assessment.

Ms Fooks said local people want more research into the possible health implications of the facility.

The concerns will be thoroughly investigated, according to Mr Mitchell.

He said that, if planning permission is approved, an operating licence would only be granted once the Environment Agency and the Health Protection Agency had carried out assessments.

The Waste Recycling Group operates the Allington incinerator in Kent

Developers Waste Recycling Group, who intend to produce electricity from burning waste at the plant, said new generation generators were completely safe.

In a statement, the company said: "Incinerators are widely and safely used in many European countries and are increasingly being used here in Britain.

"Any treatment facility will need to be permitted by the Environment Agency and Health Protection Agency, who are responsible for regulating waste treatment plants."

But, campaigner Angela Jones from Sutton Courtenay Against the Incinerator said the plant would pose health risks.

"The evidence is increasing over time that they carry the same risk as the last generation," she said.

"It is probably only a matter of time before the unacceptability of these risks is proven , but by then harm will have been caused."

The Waste Recycling Group (WRG) said there are already incinerators like the one proposed in Sutton Courtenay operating very successfully around Europe.

Up to 300,000 tonnes of rubbish a year would be burned to generate electricity.