But we need incinerators?

Incineration is a key strategy for dealing with excess waste. Through co-incinceration, energy can also be produced. We are well aware of its benefits and needs.

However, research suggests that there are health impacts to those near to incinerators. Even Public Health England (now the Health Security Agency) cite studies and state: "a small potential increase in risk of congenital anomalies for children born within ten kilometres of MWIs"

Further research finds:

• Those that work at such plants experience lower sperm counts (Oh et al, 2005)

• Residents near to these also experience significant increased bowel cancer risks (Ranzi et al, 2013), lung cancer risks (Parodi et al, 2004) and several studies find an increase in preterm labour!!!

The research is difficult as it's hard to associate health impacts to just one cause, incinerators are often in deprived areas where health is poorer. But, why risk it? Why put an incinerator within a few km of many new housing developments?! PHE conclude: "it is not possible to rule out adverse health effects from these incinerators completely".

Why site this plant within a few km of over a dozen schools!!???