However, he stopped short of full backing for protesters plans to go for a judicial review.

Meanwhile, Nick Dawber, managing director of Energos, yesterday claimed objectors had confused the issues at stake.

He said: We understand that residents have concerns and that our process has been confused with mass-burn incineration, but ours is a very different new generation technology.

It will use an advanced thermal treatment technique called gasification, which is a proven, best practice green technology.

It is a finely controlled two- stage process that converts non- recyclable waste into a gas by using the heat of partial combustion.ê

The gas is then fully combusted to generate heat, which is used to produce steam and electricity. It achieves ultra- low emissions that are significantly lower than the stringent safe limits required by the EU Emissions Standard. However, a group of opponents, including Tony Ely, whose daughter, Libby, helped lead protests on Wednesday, yesterday told the Daily Post they still believe the technology to be out- of-date.

They are now attempting to build a case for judicial review or to have the matter called in.

Cllr Michael Murphy, who represents Kirkbys Northwood ward, said that he feared putting a waste burner on the edge of a town already badly affected by respiratory problems was another nail in out coffin.

Energos plan to begin construction in 2010 and complete in 2012.