CAMPAIGNERS bidding to prevent a huge waste plant from being built in Hatfield staged a demonstration in the town to highlight its potentially serious health threats.

Residents wearing surgical facemasks turned out in force to Hatfield's Farmers Market in the town centre on Saturday to oppose the Tory-led county council's plans for a £220 million combined heat and power plant on the New Barnfield site in Travellers Lane.

Campaigners' choice of clothing clearly conveyed their concerns about the levels of dangerous pollution generated by a waste plant in the area, particularly as it is planned next to Southfield Special Needs School.

Welwyn Hatfield's Labour parliamentary candidate Mike Hobday, who has led the fight against the controversial development, said: "Local residents are right to be worried about the pollution that they could face if the county council has its way, and builds a massive 270,000 tonne waste incinerator at New Barnfield in South Hatfield.

"One hundred and fifty extra lorries a day travelling along local roads will certainly produce lots of unnecessary pollution. The impact on the children at Southfield special needs school is particularly unwelcome.

"And it's still not clear how much pollution will come out of the incinerator chimney.

"Pollution has known health risks, increasing levels of asthma and other respiratory diseases. Local residents simply do not want a waste incinerator in the town.

"And the tragedy is that the incinerator is entirely unnecessary. Recycling levels are increasing every year and it's doubtful that there will be enough waste left in 30 years time to feed a 270,000 tonne contract."

He added: "It's shameful that the county council is still refusing to talk to local residents about their concerns."

Plans to develop the plant at New Barnfield continues to be a preferred option in the county council's long-term waste strategy, although a definite location for the facility is yet to be chosen. And, if built, the authority assures the project will be subject to stringent regulation, as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions through generating electricity for local use.

The Review is awaiting comment from Hertfordshire County Council.