CIVIC leaders in Purbeck have reacted angrily to the decision that Winfrith is the only suitable location for a new high-tech waste plant.

MBT plants are new to Britain though well-established in Europe and combine the shredding of waste and composting to cut the amount of waste going to landfill sites.

Dorset County Council is drawing up a waste strategy which cuts down on carbon dioxide emissions from landfill and increases levels of recycling.

It could face millions of pounds in fines if it fails to meet government targets aimed at reducing waste.

But Purbeck district councillors are angry that Winfrith is the chosen site for a proposed processing plant that would take waste from west Dorset.

They are demanding the county council takes a second look at alternative sites, closer to where the waste is produced.

Cllr Malcolm Shakesby said: "Why hasn't Poundbury been considered and what is the problem with Binnegar, bearing in mind there is already an environmental park there and Trigon landfill?"

Cllr Tony Miller said: "All these lorries are going to come from west Dorset and use all that extra energy to bring all the rubbish into Purbeck to be got rid of."

County council head of planning Andrew Price told councillors that his team had looked at Warmwell Quarry at Crosswell and Binnegar Quarry, near Bere Regis, as possible alternative sites - but that Winfrith was the preferred option.

He said: "On balance our view is this would be the best location to meet the need."

He also said: "The team has looked at a vast number of locations as a possible site before narrowing down to the sites mentioned in the plan."

Out of 120,000 tonnes of waste going to an MBT plant, 8,000 tonnes are recycled, 9,000 tonnes go to landfill, 48,000 go through biological treatment and 55,000 tonnes supply a power plant, producing enough electricity to supply 12,000 homes.

The county council's draft waste plan published last year has been re-deposited, allowing the public to make comments again.

First published: September 16