Incinerator objectors climb crane

Some of the protesters scaled a crane on the site

A group of protesters have occupied the site of a proposed incinerator in Newhaven, East Sussex.

Police said six people gained access to the land, and some climbed a crane on the site.

On Monday, environmental campaigners opposing the plant took their case to the High Court in a judicial review.

Friends of the Earth claimed the county council ignored recycling targets when it approved plans. The council said it had followed "correct procedures".

A woman supporter of the protesters was arrested on Tuesday morning for breach of the peace after chaining herself to railings at the site.

'Pushed through'

The protesters on the crane said they had enough food and water for several days.

"We need to think of alternatives to incinerating our waste which aren't killing ourselves and the planet," said Mike Hill, speaking from the crane by mobile phone.

"It is ridiculous that this can just get pushed through against an enormous amount of opposition."

A ruling from the High Court in London is expected to be returned on Tuesday afternoon.

In a statement the county council said: "We hope the review will find in our favour as we are confident that we have followed the correct procedures in assessing the planning applications."

Plans for the Newhaven incinerator, which would annually burn 210,000 tonnes of waste, were given conditional approval last year.

Waste firm Veolia, which would operate the plant at North Quay, said the incinerator would generate electricity through burning an estimated 210,000 tonnes of waste a year.