LORD Derby last night claimed a proposed waste incinerator close to a Merseyside village will contaminate his land.

He condemned plans by Energos to site their development in Knowsley.

Speaking on behalf of Lord Derbys estate, land agent Martin Harker told the Daily Post: We are very disappointed with the decision.

The area where deposits from the chimney are likely to fall is Grade One agricultural land growing vegetable and salad crops.

A gradual accumulation of deposited emissions will in time make the produce of this land more and more contaminated.

It is unacceptable on both health and economic grounds.

Planners agreed to Energoss £40m gasification plant on Villiers Lane on Wednesday, having heard the plant would create up to 65 local construction jobs.

The move sparked a storm of protest.

More than 100 people attended Wednesdays planning committee which descended into chaos when members voted the plans through.

Knowsley MP George Howarth also voiced his concerns in the wake of the decision.

He said: Im quite happy to raise the issue in the House of Commons when the opportunity arises.

But the first priority is to get the council and the company to address in a serious manner the real problems the resident have here.