Protesters in plea to Cameron as fight against incinerator hots up

Opposition to the multi-million pound scheme has been growing steadily since detailed blueprints for the waste management plant in the heart of North Yorkshire's countryside were revealed last week.

Protesters from an action group, the Don't Incinerate Steering Committee (DISC), revealed yesterday that they are mounting the next phase of the campaign to prevent the plant between York and Harrogate becoming a reality.

A letter has been sent to Mr Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne from the group's chairman, David Andrews, outlining the potential financial savings by scrapping incineration schemes across the country.

According to the campaign group, nearly 1bn in savings could be made at a time when the Government is looking to impose massive cuts in public sector funding.

Every member of North Yorkshire County Council will also receive a letter from DISC urging them to think carefully about a decision on the proposals which is due to be made in October.

The action group, which was formed three years ago, has urged local communities t o support the battle against the Allerton Park plant after it has already won an independent inquiry which prompted a review of the council's core waste strategy.

Mr Andrews said: "DISC has experience of fighting North Yorkshire County Council. We have a strategy and we have won before.

"We have a lot of scientific and professional expertise and we have already done a lot of campaigning and research.

"If anyone is thinking of setting up a local group, then they should speak to us first. United we stand, divided we fall."

The first in a series of public meetings will be held next week as DISC members attempt to counter what they have claimed is an "unbelievable" PR offensive promoting the scheme.

A Freedom of Information request has been submitted to glean more information about the proposals ahead of talks between the campaigners and representatives from AmeyCespa, which has been selected as the preferred bidder for the 900m contract.

Mr Andrews added: "Quite simply we don't believe what we are being told and we want to see the alleged evidence to back up some of the claims that are being made.

"The PR spin might like to give the impression that this is a done deal. It's far from that. It is not a done deal."

Detailed plans for the project spanning the next 25 years were revealed last week under a deal which will be the biggest contract ever awarded by North Yorkshire County Council and York Council.

A series of recycling techniques will handle up to 320,000 tonnes of waste a year, although the most controversial element is the planned rubbish incinerator.

The site of an existing quarry and landfill facility has been earmarked for the project, but opponents claim that the proposed scheme will open the way for more major development in rural North Yorkshire.

The waste management strategy is aimed at saving taxpayers up to 320m over 25 years.

The county council's chief executive, Richard Flinton, said it was confident AmeyCespa was offering a sustainable waste management solution which was both affordable and environmentally acceptable.

A public consultation has been launched by the two councils.

The public meeting organised by DISC will be held at Whixley Village Hall on Monday next week at 7.30pm.