North Yorkshire waste incinerator site announced

The preferred site for a multi-million pound waste incinerator in North Yorkshire has been announced.

The Allerton quarry and landfill site next to the A1M has been chosen for the facility, which would generate enough electricity for about 40,000 homes.

The site was one of three being considered by the county council and residents living near to each of them have spoken out against the plans.

A consultation period has begun before a final decision is made in the autumn.

The county council has named AmeyCespa as its preferred bidder to build and manage the new waste facility.

Landfill 'running out'

The authority said the plans would allow it and City of York Council to exceed their targets of recycling 50% of waste by 2020 and save the two councils about £320m on their combined waste management bills.

Bill Woolley, director of city strategy at City of York Council, said: "Like many councils, we have historically relied on landfill as a cheap and local way of getting rid of our rubbish, but landfill sites are running out and their continued use is not sustainable environmentally or financially.

"We also need to ensure we tackle the key issues of climate change, carbon reduction and minimisation of greenhouse gas emissions."

If the plans are approved later this year a planning application for the waste plant will be submitted.

Richard Flinton, chief executive designate of the county council, said: "Any proposal for new waste treatment facilities will of course by subject to normal regulatory consents including detailed planning permission and granting of a permit to operate by the Environment Agency."