GREEN activists are launching a campaign against what they say are plans to build an incinerator for the city.

The protesters say City of York Council wants to create a waste to energy plant which would involve burning rubbish and releasing dangerous toxins into the air.

York Green Party is launching the campaign after a joint consultation by the city council and North Yorkshire County Council asked for people views on building "one main waste treatment plant".

The document also refers to an "energy from waste plant", and mentions an "incinerator" as a possible option.

Green councillor Andy D'Agorne accused the authorities of "pushing through short-sighted and potentially dangerous plans" which could be "most damaging to human health".

He said waste burners released hundreds of hazardous chemicals into the atmosphere, including cancer-causing dioxins.

Coun D'Agorne said people needed more time to give their views before work took place on planning an incinerator.

But Coun Andrew Waller, York council's environment chief, said the consultation document was only the first step in the process.

He said the options included producing energy from waste, but this could be carried out by a 'mechanical biological treatment plant'.

"It is a matter of putting waste in, extracting all the metal we can, and using biological treatment to produce either a soil enhancer or a fuel which can be used for commercial purposes," said Coun Waller.

"This is a way of replicating what happens in landfill but in a much quicker process - and this would not involve burning waste."

It had not been decided what form any plant would take or where it would be situated in York or North Yorkshire, he said.

"We are presenting people with choices and saying we are prepared to look into alternative methods of managing waste but that may be expensive and people need to be aware of that," Coun Waller said.

The consultation period ended this week, but residents can still put

forward their views and they will be considered, said the councillor.

City of York Council and North Yorkshire County Council joined forces to look at

creating a treatment plant after the Government stated authorities should work together to reduce waste going to landfill sites.

The amount of household rubbish being tipped needs to fall by more than half in the next five years to reach national targets.

Coun Waller said recycling alone would not solve the problem and people needed to consider the other options available.

Modern waste to energy plants are very different to old style incinerators and do not produce the same amount of pollution, according to the consultation document.

City of York Council's executive will examine the results of the consultation on February 7, before discussing the issues with North Yorkshire County Council and industry experts.

Further investigations will then take place before councillors are asked to make a decision on the options.

York Green Party will hold a public meeting about the proposals at the Central Methodist Hall on St Saviourgate, on Monday, January 16, at 7.30pm.

Updated: 09:22 Saturday, January 07, 2006