Castle Point's excellent recycling record could be jeopardised by the controversial Essex Waste Plan, it has been claimed.

Joe Cooke, Castle Point Council's environmental health committee chairman, spoke after it was revealed the authority has already exceeded recycling targets three years ahead of time.

Southend Council followed the lead of County Hall by ratifying the Essex Waste Plan despite opposition from environmentalists who claim it could result in huge waste incinerators being constructed throughout the county.

Mr Cooke (Lab, St George's) said: "If we went for large- scale incinerators in the county, they would have to be fed and that would be a problem."

Incinerators could end up swallowing up waste which might otherwise be suitable for recycling, Mr Cooke said.

He stressed the Consortium of Essex Councils, of which Castle Point is a member, was firmly committed to recycling.

However, the Essex waste plan includes designated sites for six incinerators - Basildon, Old Heath, Stan-way, Rivenhall, Sandon and North Weald Airfield.

Pressure group Friends of the Earth is considering mounting a legal challenge to the scheme.

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