A MASSIVE incinerator to burn millions of tonnes of waste from across the region could be built in the Clevedon area, it has been revealed. The West of England Waste and

A MASSIVE incinerator to burn millions of tonnes of waste from across the region could be built in the Clevedon area, it has been revealed.The West of England Waste and Planning Partnership - made up of North Somerset Council and its neighbouring three unitary authorities - is considering ways of reducing the amount of waste which goes into landfill.The partnership has put forward several options as part of a massive consultation exercise and has admitted that it is a possibility a large waste facility could be built in the Clevedon area.The move to look at alternative ways of disposing of residual waste - items which cannot be recycled - comes as a result of Government legislation which says local authorities need to reduce the amount of waste which currently goes into landfill.Options being put forward include building an 'energy from waste' unit which burns waste and turns it into electricity.Other options include shredding the waste and then composting it or building a mill where rubbish is ground down, sorted and then sent to landfill.Bosses at the partnership said no decision on the type of waste facility or a site for it had been made.But in a conversation with the North Somerset Times, partnership representatives admitted the Clevedon area was being looked at.West of England Waste and Planning Partnership spokesman Kay Hobday said: "No decision has been made."We are putting the suggestions out for consultation and we want to work with the public to find out what sort of facility they want and where they want it."It may be people want waste facilities on their doorstep so this will mean building a number of sites rather than just one or two bigger ones. To build a number of facilities however, would be more expensive as we would have to find numerous sites and apply for planning permission for each one."Any new waste sites would be jointly funded by the four authorities and could take rubbish from across the region.The role of the existing civic amenity sites at Portishead and Backwell would remain unchanged.A series of meetings are being held for the public to look at the waste facility options and have their say.A meeting for local people is being held at Clevedon Town Council office, Old Street, Clevedon, on February 19 at 7.30pm.