SIR – The delay by Herefordshire Council in bringing the waste contract to cabinet gives us a chance to re-evaluate the proposal to build the Hartlebury incinerator, to consider the escalating costs, and to take another look at the alternatives.

The overview and scrutiny committee heard presentations from campaigners against the incinerator, concerns about the uncertainties surrounding the costs, and strong representations from those proposing alternative technologies.

There were calls for a full debate of all the issues raised, and for all members to be involved in making the final decision, not just the cabinet.

If we take the view that ‘waste has a value’ rather than ‘waste is a problem’, as other countries have done for many years, and some local authorities are beginning to do, we can reduce our costs, rather than increase our debt, and minimise damaging carbon output.

There is far more that we can do to reduce waste, increase recycling and composting, repair and reuse, and introduce newer technologies such as autoclave, anaerobic digestion (AD) and other biomass options. Not only are these far cheaper to build and run than incineration, they are far less damaging to health and the environment.

We have a brief opportunity to look again at our options.

Please let us make the most of it.

COUNCILLOR FELICITY NORMAN

Leominster North Green Party