PLANS to put a huge treatment centre for south Essex's waste in Basildon look increasingly likely after county council chiefs insisted they could not risk building just one plant for the whole county.

Essex County Council chiefs maintained two mechanical biological treatment and recycling plants - one at Courtauld Road, Pitsea, and another for the north of the county - were needed to deal with growing waste during a special debate at the full council meeting in county hall.

The county council has also ruled out the option to develop three smaller sites, including Courtauld Road, taking rubbish from smaller areas, because studies found it the least environmentally and cost-effective choice.

Published Wednesday, December 7, 2005