Seven charged over crane protest

The incinerator would burn waste to generate electricity

Seven men arrested following an environmental protest on a crane have been charged with aggravated trespass.

The protest against the planned waste incinerator at North Quay in Newhaven, East Sussex ended on Wednesday evening.

One man climbed down from the crane on Wednesday morning and six more left at about 1830 BST after about 40 hours.

Seven men were bailed to appear at Lewes Magistrates' Court on 6 August. During the two-day protest, a total of 10 men and two women were arrested.

Three men and one woman arrested on Tuesday were charged with aggravated trespass and bailed to appear at Lewes Magistrates' Court on 30 July.

A 45-year old woman from Newhaven, who was arrested on suspicion of obstruction and assaulting the police, was bailed pending a decision.

On Tuesday a High Court judge threw out an attempt by Friends of the Earth to overturn planning permission for the proposed plant, which would burn 210,000 tonnes of waste every year to generate electricity.

Environmentalists have said the incinerator would prevent the county reaching its targets for recycling.