WORRIED residents are stepping up their campaign against plans for a huge new incinerator near Southampton.

It comes after planning permission for a similar scheme at Chineham, near Basingstoke, was approved by the county council.

Hampshire Waste Services gave assurances that the modern burner would be safe and would not pose a threat to public health.

A planning application for the Marchwood incinerator, proposed on the old power station site, is expected to be submitted to the council in January.

If approved, the multi-million-pound plant would dispose of around 165,000 tonnes of rubbish each year from households in the region.

But the Burners out of Marchwood campaigners, who remain concerned about cancer-causing chemical emissions from incinerators, are determined to continue their battle against the development.

"We are saddened, but not surprised about the decision on Chineham, but it has not dampened our spirits," said secretary of the action group, Alison Hoare.

"Hundreds of people are concerned about having an energy from waste incinerator in Marchwood and we are determined to fight it to the bitter end.

"We have already prepared hundreds of leaflets on the issue and car stickers, which we will be distributing to people around the area.

"We are also working closely with the Green Party and the Campaign Against Toxics group to try to stop this incinerator being built," she added.

But Project Director for Hampshire Waste Services, John Collis, stressed that the Marchwood plant, although bigger than the one that is planned for Chineham, would be just as safe.

"It took thirteen months before the council considered the Chineham planning application, but we expect the Marchwood one to be dealt with much more quickly.

"We expect to submit the application in January and hopefully it will be dealt with during the early part of next year."

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