CAMPAIGNERS are claiming victory after it was decided only one new major recycling facility will be built in Waltham Forest.

Initial fears were raised that an incinerator may be introduced when three local sites were earmarked for a new processing plant.

But the North London Waste Authority (NLWA) decided against building a new incinerator, opting instead for greener alternatives and broadening its search for suitable locations.

The site of the former EMD cinema, the Highams Park Station car park and a plot of land next to Chingford Hall Primary School were all considered.

The North London Waste Plan (NLWP), of which cabinet member for investment and enterprise Cllr Terry Wheeler is a member, has now published a list of preferred sites for new recycling facilities, which includes Rigg Approach on the Argall Business Park in Leyton.

The NLWP deals with planning issues around building the recycling waste management facilities across the seven boroughs while the NLWA handles the way in which the authorities dispose of it.

The new plants will process an estimated 300,000 tonnes of waste a year from seven boroughs in order to meet recycling targets.

It has not yet been decided what type of facility will be built in Leyton.

Paula Mitchell, who campaigned against new facilities in Walthamstow, welcomed the NLWA decision not to build in Blackhorse Road and Sutherland Road.

She said: “There could have been great big lorries coming to and from Blackhorse Lane dumping rubbish.

“This is an area which has been designated as a regeneration area. We thought it was going to be made really nice but then we found out to our horror that there might be a great big industrial waste facility built here."

"There is a social element to this. There are seven north London boroughs taking part, yet the proposed sites are all dotted along the Lea Valley so it is a case of the wealthy boroughs bringing their waste and dumping it on the poorer ones. That is not acceptable."

Archie Onslow, a spokesman for the North London Waste Plan, said: "Any waste facility would have to receive planning permission from each individual council participating in the plan.

“There are also a series of hoops a facility would have to jump through which are set by the Environment Agency. These include design, transport and if it is a larger facility like the Rigg Approach in Leyton there will be a health impact assessment.

"I think the facilites are spread out evenly between the participating boroughs. There are facilities proposed in Barnet, Enfield, Haringey and Waltham Forest. There won't be any new facilities built in Hackney, Islington and Camden.

For more information visit www.nlwp.net

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