Campaigners to pursue legal challenge over plans for incinerator in north London

Local environmental activists have almost met their £9,000 target to initiate legal action over the construction of an incinerator for the North London Waste Authority (NLWA).

A Crowd Justice page shows that Stop the Edmonton Incinerator Now (StEIN) has raised £8,696 so far.

It intends to mount a legal challenge to NLWA’s decision to appoint Spanish contractor Acciona to build the facility.

The group said its law firm Richard Buxton had secured a barrister from Landmark Chambers, and a preliminary legal challenge would cost £6,000 plus VAT.

The NLWA covers the boroughs of Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Islington, Waltham Forest. 

Opponents of the incinerator argue it will be built in an area of deprivation undermining health and well-being and that there is over-provision of incinerators nationally and in London.

The NLWA said the new incinerator - which replaces one that will become life-expired - would take in residual waste and generate sufficient electricity for up to 127,000 homes, plus heat and hot water for up to 50,000 homes, in which there would be no need gas boilers. The plant would also prevent waste from being landfilled.

It said the plant would be part of the £1.2bn North London Heat and Power Project, which also includes new recycling and waste facilities.