Incinerator backed by councillors

The council is looking at generating energy from rubbish

Plans to build a multi-million pound incineration plant to produce energy from rubbish in Suffolk have moved a step closer.

The scheme, which is in its early stages, has been backed by Suffolk county councillors.

The council's cabinet committee gave the go-ahead to investigate the building of the incinerator.

A report to the council says using landfill sites to dispose of waste is becoming more and more costly.

It could cost the county an extra £15m a year by 2012/2013 - which could put an extra £62 on the average council tax bill, the report adds.

The incinerator could produce enough energy to power 28,000 homes.

Councillor Eddy Alcock, portfolio holder for the environment, said: "Landfill is no longer the answer. It is bad for the environment and in the future will cost a fortune."