A NEW shortlist of possible sites for rubbish incinerator plants will be considered by councillors next week.

There was uproar earlier this year when a number of controversial sites, including greenfield areas, were listed as potential locations for two waste-burning operations.

Now the number of sites under investigation has been cut to three: industrial land on the East Quay at Newhaven and either a site at Pebsham, near Bexhill, currently a waste disposal facility, or an old mine near Robertsbridge.

Members of a joint advisory committee, made up of councillors from Brighton and Hove and East Sussex County Council, are expected to agree the list when they meet on Wednesday.

Gone from the proposed locations is the greenfield site of Waterhall, north of the A27 near Brighton, and a site at Falmer.

Other controversial suggestions, including Shoreham Harbour, Black Rock and Sheepcote Valley, near Brighton, have also been put on hold.

Welcomed

Among those to welcome the new shortlist last night was Pavilion MP David Lepper, who said: "I am very glad that it looks as if the plan for an incinerator at Waterhall will be rejected."

Other suggested incinerator sites set to be ruled out include Maresfield, near Uckfield, and Beddingham, near Lewes.

All but one of a number of proposed land raise waste dump sites along the A22 have also been scrapped.

Campaigners who formed an action group called CLEAR are pleased Halland Park Farm and Upper Vert Wood have been dropped but they have pledged to fight against the last remaining scheme, at Broomham Park.

Member Nigel Braden said: "It really does horrify us that such a development, on a 100 acre site in the Lower Weald,

could really happen. We will

be out in force at the next

committee meeting on Wednesday."

Several sites are still being considered for recycling and for waste transfer.

They are the Hollingdean depot in Brighton, Hangleton Bottom in Hove, plus sites at Newhaven, the Hailsham/Polegate area, Pebsham and Mountfield Mine.

And landfill tipping is likely to continue in the short term at Beddingham. Councillors may also approve a newly-identified site next to the A27 and railway line at Selmeston, between Lewes and Polegate.

If the incinerator sites are agreed at the joint meeting at Pelham House, they will be recommended to the individual councils before another joint meeting on November 19 for a final decision.

The public will be able to make comments until March 3 and there will be a public inquiry in November next year.

Joint committee chairman Kathryn Field from East Sussex said: "We received a huge response to our draft waste plan.

"We were encouraged by the support for our overall aims to reduce, reuse and recycle on a much greater scale."

Coun Field said there had been strong objections to several sites and acknowledged that some of the current recommendations would still be unpopular but said action had to be taken.

Vice joint committee chairman John Ballance, a member of Brighton and Hove Council, said: "Landfill sites are filling up fast. The way forward must include more recycling, composting and treating waste through incineration and recovering energy."

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