AN MP has pledged to fight waste incineration at a harbour targeted for a major redevelopment.

Ivor Caplin confirmed his opposition to any plans to site an incinerator at Shoreham Harbour after East Sussex county councillors ruled Brighton and Hove should find a site within its own boundaries to burn waste.

The Shoreham site was the front runner of a trio of sites identified as a possible home for a burner when the waste plans were first published.

Now residents fear Shoreham will be back at the top of the list following the decision to turn down a scheme for Newhaven and Pebsham, near Bexhill.

The Hove and Portslade MP said he wanted to assure people living and working in and around the harbour an incinerator would not be built there.

Mr Caplin said: "The technical work carried out by officers of East Sussex and Brighton and Hove councils has drawn sensible conclusions on proper ways of dealing with waste.

"That clearly did not recommend Shoreham Harbour for an incineration facility. I can categorically reassure residents that Shoreham Harbour will not be used for an incineration facility by East Sussex or Brighton and Hove."

Mr Caplin also called on members of both councils to ensure decisions on where the incinerator is sited are taken on the advice of technical and planning professionals and for no other reason.

Judy Way, of Overhill, Southwick, collected a 3,150-signature petition against the earlier plans for an incinerator at Shoreham.

She said: "There is an increased threat to Shoreham now that East Sussex has made this decision. We should not be complacent. West Sussex County Council is also keeping very quiet about where it plans to site its incinerators. I think there's a real danger that both county councils could get together and target Shoreham, despite the feelings of the local MP and local people."

Shoreham Harbour has been earmarked for a £400 million redevelopment which will include a media village, new homes and light industry.

Part of the project would involve building a £50 million tunnel linking the harbour with the A27 at Hangleton.

After featuring on the original waste plans a year ago, Shoreham Harbour was ruled out along with Black Rock and the Sheepcote Valley.

Instead, county councillors said one burner should be built at Mountfield Mine, near Robertsbridge, and another in Brighton and Hove.

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