Fears that a massive waste facility will be built at Rivenhall airfield have reared up again.

A motion to shape future policy on waste strategy was carried out by Braintree Council, supporting a partnership approach with other authorities as part of the county's integrated waste strategy.

The motion, put forward by the Conservative administration, states the council felt the partnership approach was the most effective way for the council to move towards other ways of dealing with residual waste.

But opposing councillors believe the partnership approach will result in a 100,000 to 300,000-tonne waste management facility (an anerobic digestion plant) being built at Rivenhall airfield used by Braintree, Uttlesford, Harlow, Epping Forest and Brentwood.

Phil Barlow, Labour councillor for Witham and Chipping Hill, tried unsuccessfully to amend the motion.

He likened the waste management plant to having a "large Tesco-sized superstore full of rubbish" at Rivenhall.

James Abbott, Green Party councillor for Bradwell, Rivenhall and Silver End, said he accepted these facilities were needed and he preferred a number of smaller waste management plants.

Published Tuesday September 14, 2004

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