THREE multi-million pound waste processing plants could be built in Waltham Forest.

Six new processing plants are needed in north London, and London Mayor Ken Livingstone has decided the borough should house half of them.

The proposed sites are Blackhorse Lane, Walthamstow, the Lea Bridge Gateway in Leyton and the Central Leaside Business area on the Chingford/Enfield border.

The North London Joint Waste Plan (NLJWP), which has been drawn up by seven boroughs, says the vast majority of London's waste sites are already located in north east London.

It adds the types of plants needed include a hazardous waste processing facility and an incinerator, as well as recycling centres.

Jenny Bates, for London-based campaigner for Friends of the Earth, said: "Communities across the UK are fighting vigorous campaigns to prevent incinerators being built in their area.

"They are deeply worried about the potential impact on their health and recognise that burning our waste is harmful to the environment.

"The Government must get to grips with this problem by calling a halt to new incinerators, reducing waste and dramatically improving our record on recycling.

"Incinerating anything that we can recycle or compost is a complete waste of resources. Incineration is also a climate change problem not a solution, emitting 33 per cent more fossil fuel derived CO2 than a gas-fired power station.

"Britain still languishes near the bottom of Europe's recycling table - we need to address this and make the most of our waste - not burn it."

Steve Lambert, of Waltham Forest and Redbridge Green Party, said: "Incineration and landfill sites are no longer acceptable options because of pollution of adjacent areas, waste of valuable resources and policies to tackle climate change.

"We believe there should be smaller and local sites to give everyone a better awareness of what happens to their waste and, with new cleaner technologies developing all the time, these are less likely to raise objections from residents."

Anna Carver, a gardener at Hoxton Manor Allotments in Chingford, said: "I don't like the idea of an incinerator being built in our area.

"It seems a bit of a lazy solution to the problem of landfill, and I am worried about the pollution as well. As a gardener I recycle and compost almost everything I can.

"Burning things seems such as waste, especially when there's lots of things we can recycle."

In August the Guardian reported how people were worried toxic fumes from an incinerator in Edmonton had led to abnormally high infant mortality rates in Chingford.

Michael Ryan's research showed that babies were more likely to die if they live close to and downwind of incinerators.

Cllr Terry Wheeler, the council's cabinet member for enterprise and investment, said he believed clean, modern waste management plants and biological plants were more likely. But as the plans have not yet gone to consultation, anything is possible.

A council spokesman said no decision had yet been taken on the type, scale or nature of the new plants.

"Waltham Forest Council will have a say in these decisions and will be working hard to ensure that any sites that are chosen - regardless of where they are - do not have a negative impact on residents' quality of life," he said.

He added that there will be a public consultation.

It will start on January 23 and residents will be able to request a copy by visiting www.nlwp.net or ringing the North London Waste Plan on 020 7974 5916.