Council leaders are gearing up for their part in the fight against controversial incinerator plans.

Lewes District Council will next week present its case against a waste plant at North Quay, Newhaven, as part of the Waste Local Plan inquiry.

The inquiry, which began in May, is considering how best to manage East Sussex's waste.

Council representatives will state their case against an incinerator in the port based on these six points:

The Waste Local Plan should have more ambitious targets for recycling and composting and not rely on recovering energy from burning waste.

The plan's policy for a large-scale, centralised waste-processing facility at Newhaven would lead to long-distance lorry transportation across the county, with less people involved in recycling and waste reduction at local levels.

A Waste Local Plan strategy based on increased recycling and composting and a network of smaller waste-processing facilities would be more sustainable, more flexible and still meet national waste management targets.

Development of a large waste facility at North Quay would harm its specialist role in importing and processing sea-dredged aggregates to support the building industry in Sussex. This role is safeguarded in established plans for the site.

A large waste facility at North Quay would displace existing businesses, significantly increase heavy lorry traffic through the town and harm views of the surrounding downland, which is set to form part of a national park.

Based on evidence from other places where major waste facilities have been located, the proposals are likely to harm the regeneration effort in Newhaven and affect house prices.

District council leader Councillor Ann De Vecchi said: "We will use expert advice to make a strong case against this proposal.

"We accept there is a need for changes to the way we manage the ever increasing volumes of waste generated in the area.

"However, this should be based on much more ambitious levels of recycling and composting along with a network of local waste-processing facilities.

"The large centralised facilities proposed by East Sussex County Council and Brighton and Hove City Council will lock us into burning waste for decades ahead."

The district council will present its case at the White Hart Hotel, High Street, Lewes, on July 17 and 18.

Friday July 11, 2003