Benn fuelsincineratorcontroversy

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with villagers leaving councillors in no doubt of their feelings after a recent protest.

Despite being subject to stringent Environment Agency rules on emissions, critics argue the plants are hazardous to health and some claim the technology is now out of date.

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But supporters say the UK could follow the example of countries like Denmark, where up to 60 per cent of homes are hooked up to district heating schemes supplied by waste-burning plants. Only a handful of schemes operate in this country at the moment.

Mr Benn said a “residue of feeling” that waste-burning plants were unhealthy created controversy around plants here in contrast to widespread acceptance overseas.

Quizzing Mr Benn at a select committee hearing on waste, Shadow Environment Minister Anne McIntosh, MP for Vale of York, welcomed the Government’s support for anaerobic digestion but questioned why Ministers were “very slow” to support other forms of energy from waste.

Speaking afterwards, she raised the prospect of Tory backing for incinerators as well, saying: “We enthusiastically embrace anaerobic digestion. We urge the Government to work with local communities where appropriate to investigate the potential for energy from waste and to reduce food and bulk textile waste.

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