A DECISION on whether or not to allow a controversial animal carcass incinerator to operate in Astwood Bank looks set to be taken out of the hands of Redditch Council.

A second application to operate an incinerator behind Astwood Bank First School has yet to be submitted but when it is, it looks set to be determined by the Environment Agency.

The previous application was dealt with and refused by Redditch Council.

Applicants Popes Lane By-Products appealed against the decision but later withdrew the proposal three months before a public inquiry was due to take place in July.

An Environment Agency spokesman said they had been in discussion with Popes Lane By-Products and they would most likely be the ones to determine any future application.

She said: "We are talking about regulating the whole process - that's some of the animal carcass rendering and incineration.

"There is a cut-off point with regard to who is responsible for determining the Pollution and Prevention and Control application and regulating it.

"If the applicants want to deal with more than 10 tonnes a day, it falls to the Environment Agency. If less, it goes to Redditch Council."

Martyn Wharmby, of Popes Lane By-Products, said they were potentially going to be dealing with more than 10 tonnes a day.

And he confirmed they had submitted a planning application to Redditch Council to increase the size of the incinerator chimney from eight to 12 metres.

Protest group Astwood Bank Against Incinerator (ABAI) was set up to fight the proposal and members are meeting on Monday to re-launch their campaign.

ABAI spokesman Keith Enston said: "The Environment Agency licences the most polluting procedures. It is very bad news for Astwood Bank that this application falls into this category."

He said they would urge the agency not to grant permission for a licence to operate the incinerator so close to residents and Astwood Bank First School.

"What's bad news for us is if they are dealing with more than 10 tonnes a day, it increases the risk. This is not just about pollution and the environment, it's about road safety and the green belt," he added.

Anyone interested in attending the ABAI meeting can call Keith Enston on 893344.