CRITICS claim a council's waste strategy is in tatters after possible plans for an incinerator near Dalton, Thirsk, were criticised by a planning inspector.

North Yorkshire County Council selected Dalton Airfield Industrial Estate as one of seven possible sites for an incinerator, prompting residents to set up the Dalton Incinerator Steering Committee (Disc) last year to fight the idea.

Disc claims an incinerator on the estate would lead to serious problems. Members fears pollutants from the burning process, saying the incinerator could be just 800m from homes and would threaten health.

Planning inspector Jonathan King recently held a public examination of the council's minerals and waste development framework core strategy, of which the incinerator is a part.

The hearing, at which the council and Disc were present, was halted on its second day to allow the council to review its position.

David Andrews, chairman of Disc, said: "The county council is trying to make the best of it.

"The inspector told the council there were too many issues going on and he advised the council to go away and look at its position.

"He decided he was unlikely to be happy with the evidence presented by the council and has asked it to consider its position.

"The background to this is that the council was warned at the preparatory meeting that the inspector had serious concerns which needed addressing.

"The examiner explained that far more serious issues lay ahead, which the meeting had not yet discussed at all.

"We presented a logical and convincing case that the council had ignored consistent public consultation results showing deep concerns against incineration."

Coun Bill Barton, the county councillor for Dalton, has already spoken out against the scheme and pledged his support to the Disc group.

The county council claims it asked for the public examination to be suspended to allow it to revise its scheme.

Richard Flinton, director of business and economic services, said: "By seeking a suspension in the public examination, we have gained the opportunity to address the issues raised by the inspector in the light of new guidance, the experience of other local authorities, and recent case law."

An exploratory meeting between Mr King and the council has now been scheduled to be held on November 11 to agree a way forward.

The council claims the public examination into the core strategy will probably resume in the new year.

The county council has not yet selected a site and when it does, the scheme will still need planning approval.

The other possible sites listed are at Allerton Park Quarry, Boroughbridge; Tancred Quarry, Catterick; Barnsdale Bar Quarry, Selby; Gateforth Park Farm, Selby; Burn Airfield, Selby; and Gascoinge Wood mine site, Sherburn in Elmet.

Contact Disc at 3A Kirkgate, Thirsk, YO7 1PX.