BASILDON councillors and residents are continuing to fight plans for two huge incinerators in the town.

Private waste management company, Clearaway, has written to residents nearby asking them for their views on the proposals before it submits a planning application to Essex County Council.

Councillors are urging residents to respond by the extended deadline of June 26.

Fears have been raised over the impact the proposed sprawling plant would have on air quality.

Basildon council leader, Gavin Callaghan, said: “I do not understand how this proposal has even been allowed to get off the table.

“We have been working hard over the past year to stop the Government imposing a charging Clean Air Zone that would seriously affect businesses based on our industrial sites in Basildon.

“We have reduced the speed limit to help reduce emissions in the area and we are working with businesses on bringing forward plans to reduce their impact on the local environment.

“So this proposal that would see Essex rubbish brought in by 25 tonne lorries at the rate of two to three deliveries an hour round the clock, and two toxic towers spewing out further emissions is simply crazy.

“It’s the wrong development in exactly the wrong place.

“I encourage all our residents to make their views known to Clearaway and stop this proposal in its tracks.”

He spoke at a recent meeting of the staffing matters and review sub-committee where councillors were unanimous in their opposition.

Basildon Conservatives launched a petition last month to stop it.

The incinerator would also be right next to the area already subject to a Government directive to improve air quality and on which the Government has threatened to impose a charging Clean Air Zone.

If Clearaway presses ahead with it plans to submit a planning application, this will need to be put to statutory public consultation by Essex County Council before county councillors determine if the proposals are allowed to go-ahead.

Basildon councillors also called on the Essex County Council to pledge to hold the planning meeting for the incinerator in the Basildon borough.

Responses can be sent using the forms sent out by the council or by going online at archersfields-erf.co.uk