Political leaders have joined forces in a show of solidarity against controversial plans for a giant rubbish incinerator in Basildon.

They backed a campaign group set up to fight the embryonic proposal for the giant waste burner in Courtauld Road. The embryonic plans, in the Essex and Southend waste blueprint, have been in the pipeline since 1998.

Today (Tuesday), Basildon MP Angela Smith and leading politicians spoke out against the scheme.

Mrs Smith, whose Basildon and East Thurrock constituency borders the site, said she had launched talks with the county council over the plans.

The site is just outside her constituency border and inside that of Billericay Tory MP Teresa Gorman

Mrs Smith said: "Basildon has borne the brunt of taking waste from many areas for many years. Take Pitsea for example. Even if there was a case for an incinerator this is not the place it should be. This part of Essex has taken too much already."

Basildon Council leader John Potter added: "The council and I oppose such plans under any circumstances. Our view is that if incinerators prove to be necessary the county council has to find other sites.

"That's because Basildon has taken more than its fair share of waste at places like Pitsea tip. It's about time other authorities did and I include in that Southend."

The council's Conservative group leader Malcolm Buckley said they did not consider a site close to high density housing was ideal for an incinerator. He added: "We do not want an incinerator in the district."

Essex County Council has stressed the plans are not yet set in concrete and residents have been given the chance to object since the proposals.

The plan, which was revised after 10,000 people objected to it in 1999, permits, among other waste management methods, waste incinerators at six identified locations in Essex - which include Courtauld Road.

Forms, which can be picked up in libraries and council offices, must be returned to Essex County Council planning department by May 11.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.