TORY leader Cameron has ducked controversy over a proposed incinerator in Exeter — insisting the decision is for the council.

But while he avoided becoming embroiled in the row by laying responsibility firmly at the door of the local authority, Mr Cameron stressed the importance of examining all the options, and giving the go-ahead for any scheme based on the latest evidence.

Campaigners are gearing up to renew their fight to stop the £32m incinerator being built off Grace Road on the Marsh Barton Industrial Estate.

The facility, which would be run by Viridor Waste Management, has been labelled a potential environmental disaster by environmental campaigners.

They collected more than 4,000 signatures against the proposal but could not stop it being granted planning permission in 2007.

The county council has been aiming to have the waste-to-energy plant operational from 2012.

When tackled over the thorny issue of incineration at the Conservative conference in Manchester, Mr Cameron said it has to be up to local decision-makers to judge such applications. In an exclusive interview with the Echo, he said: "Every council has to make up its own mind about the best way of doing it.

"What I always say is that I hope we can as a country look at all of the future options and all of the technology. Great strides are being made in terms of bio-digesters and other technology and let's make sure that any decision we do make is made on the latest evidence of technology.

"In the end these decisions must be for local councils."

Earlier this year, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn insisted that advances in technology meant that incinerators like that proposed in Exeter did not pose a risk to health. He said on the continent producing energy from waste was more common and did not arouse such controversy. But just like Mr Cameron, he insisted that it was for local authorities, and not him, to make a decision on disposing of rubbish.

Any comments on the details and content of the draft permit and draft decision document should be made in writing by Monday, October 26, to National Permitting Service — Cardiff, 5th Floor, Ty Cambria, Environment Agency, 29 Newport Road, Cardiff CF24 0TP.