A new protest has been launched over plans for a second incinerator to turn county waste into energy.

Objectors tried to stop the county council plan for an incinerator at Javelin Park, near Gloucester but it is now well on its way to completion.

Now they are protesting over a second burner scheme not far away at Moreton Valence.

In fact the second scheme is not new - it is an application for the revision of existing planning permission.

Smiths (Gloucester) already have permission for an energy plant called a gasifier but want to alter it so it has a capacity for dealing with 65,000 tonnes of waste a year instead of 30,000 tonnes.

In a report to the county council Smiths say: "The energy plant is a long standing proposal which Smiths have sought to bring forward as it complements the existing waste operations at Moreton Valence and will allow Smiths to achieve their desired aim of maximum diversion of its residual wastes from landfill and maximum recovery rates."

The company says there are no residential properties in the immediate vicinity of the Resource Recovery Centre and adds that the measures taken will ensure there is no dust or noise nuisance.

It says the waste dealt with will be non-hazardous.

However Jojo Mehta of the campaign group 38 Degrees Stroud said: "Crazy as it may be, we are now facing the possibility of two incinerators going ahead within a mile of each other.

"They (Smiths) say it's to process their own waste, but at a capacity of 65,000 tonnes per annum on top of the 200,000 tonnes per annum capacity at Javelin Park it would make Gloucestershire a morass of incineration pollution - and a graveyard for recycling."

Gloucestershire County Council will consider the scheme.

What do you think? Email mark@moosemarketingandpr.co.uk 

Pictured: A protest gathering outside Shire Hall against the Javelin Park incinerator earlier this year.

Readers' comments:

Kevin Cranston: Given that Javelin Park will need to bring waste in from beyond the county it seems crazy that Smiths don't just send their waste across the road to JP.