CITY TO GET HUGE NEW TIP; Billion-pound plant could be built on old allotments.

Byline: By Mary Griffin, ENVIRONMENT REPORTER

COVENTRY could get a huge billionpound incinerator on green belt land just behind the existing plant at Whitley.

Latest proposals for a new tip show plans to build on unused allotments off Humber Road.

The existing tip would be flattened to create a park.

Council officers examined a shortlist of 21 sites for the new plant but opted for a plot directly behind the existing plant, even though it's defined as green belt.

And a report to today's city cabinet suggests the land could be re-classified, stripping it of its green belt status.

Council officers are quashing fears that treasured allotment space could be lost and claim any green belt land built on would be replaced by turning the present incinerator into a green civic amenity.

Andrew Walster, waste services manager, said: "I can categorically assure you that it will not be built on active allotments.

"The proposed site would fall on a disused allotment area behind the current recycling centre.

"If this proposal goes ahead the existing site will be returned to green belt usage and one of our initial thoughts is that it would be accessible green belt for everybody to use."

The council is stressing the replacement incinerator plans are not final, but say that by submitting them they keep the door open to gain private finance initiative (PFI) funding.

If the bid is approved, councillors say the exact waste treatment technology will be decided later.

They feel that the technology used for the new plant could be totally different to that used in the present incinerator.

Deputy leader, Cllr Kevin Foster, said: "We are not bidding for an incinerator. This is a PFI bid using an incinerator as a reference.

"Any responsible authority should keep open a window of funding.

"The government is indicating this will be the last opportunity to bid for PFI credits in this area, and given the way the financial situation is deteriorating it's unlikely we'll see additional funding opportunities.

"It's important to keep that door open, but at the same time we'll look at our other options to make sure we get a good environmental package that gives the best value for money to the taxpayer."

CAPTION(S):

AGEING... The present incinerator with its chimney towering over neighbouring houses. The new plant would be built just behind it.; ON SITE... The red hatched area is the proposed location for the new tip.