ANOTHER Labour politician is backing calls by a campaign group for incinerator proposals to be reexamined.

Jessica Morden MP said she is opposed to the use of the technology and said she supports the Stop Newport Incinerator Campaign in calling for a coalition of local councils to reconsider.

The Newport MP joins colleagues in the Newport council Labour group who have also raised objections to proposals for an incinerator in Bowleaze Common, south of Llanwern Steelworks.

The Newport proposal is one of three being considered by Prosiect Gwyrdd, a coalition of five South Wales councils including the city council who are currently looking for a company to help find an alternative to landfill for non-recyclable waste.

Other proposals being looked at are incinerators in Merthyr Tydfil and Cardiff.

Ms Morden said there were many concerns among local people about the impact on health, and called for more information.

She said: “Questions have to be asked about how the council have allowed this to be the only option on the table and have signed up to a £3 million penalty clause.”

Councils will have to pay their part of the procurement process, up to a maximum of £3 million, if they pull out of the scheme.

A spokesman for Prosiect Gwyrdd said: “The project didn’t specify a technology solution when the project was advertised, the market has brought forward solutions based on the waste types which are anticipated to remain after recycling and composting is diverted from residents’ properties, with at least a further five per cent recycling achieved through the contract.”

A Newport council spokeswoman said there are three proposals not one for energy from waste facilities.

She said: “Finding the best long-term solution for residual waste – after maximising recycling and composting opportunities – has been the long-term goal of the project.”

The penalty clause was not related to planning or technology issues.

A spokesman for Prosiect Gwyrdd said: "Each partner authorities' priority is to reduce, reuse and recycle and compost as much waste as possible to meet the challenging targets set by the Welsh Government up until 2025.

"Prosiect Gwyrdd will be dealing with the remaining waste. The project didn't specify a technology solution when the project was advertised, the market has brought forward solutions based on the waste types which are anticipated to remain after recycling and composting is diverted from residents' properties, with at least a further 5% recycling achieved through the contract."