GREEN campaigners are calling on City of York Council to put off plans to enter long-term contracts with waste treatment firms before residents have spoken up.

City of York Council's executive is due to decide on February 7 about whether to put forward a bid to Government with North Yorkshire County Council for PFI funding for an "energy from waste plant".

A joint waste management plan between the councils advocates two treatment plants - one in the north of the area, one in the south. The aim is for one to be a mechanical biological planet and the other an incinerator. The mechanical plant could be up and running by 2010.

The Green Party organised a public meeting in York amid concerns that numerous homeowners had not received a consultation leaflet about building a new treatment plant.

A petition is also being mounted, asking the council to delay its decision and undertake a proper city-wide consultation on ways of disposing rubbish, while condemning incineration as an option for the future.

Green Councillor Andy D'Agorne, has asked for a report on the number of consultation responses received to be given at full council next Tuesday.

He said: "We are very concerned that York is about to enter into contracts which will commit us to providing a steady stream of rubbish over many years

to fuel new incineration and waste treatment plants in our area."

He said of the 30 people at the meeting, only five had seen the council's consultation leaflet.

There were also concerns the leaflet only offered two options, compared with an earlier document produced by consultants which put forward 11 possible options.

Council leader Steve Galloway said: "It is our intention to undertake further and ongoing consultation with residents about waste management issues. We would expect to do that through our Your City newsletter in spring.

"The 11 possible options initially included those that we ruled out on the grounds of impracticality. It would have been misleading to offer residents options that couldn't be implemented."

Updated: 09:45 Thursday, January 19, 2006