TORY leader David Cameron has ducked controversy over a proposed incinerator in Plymouth, 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.

The South West Devon Waste Partnership, comprising Plymouth, Torbay and Devon County councils, is commissioning a new treatment plant to handle all waste from Plymouth, Torbay and South Devon.

Three companies – MVV Umwelt, Sita UK and Viridor – have been shortlisted to put forward more detailed plans for waste handling.

The firms have come up with five different plans between them, all for waste incinerators, at Ernesettle, Devonport's North and South Yards, and New England Quarry near Lee Mill.

When he was tackled over the thorny issue of incineration at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, Mr Cameron replied: "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 incinerators such as that proposed in Plymouth did not pose a risk to health.

On the Continent, producing energy from waste was much more common and did not attract controversy said Mr Benn: but, just like Mr Cameron, he insisted that it was for local authorities, and not him, to make a decision on methods of disposing of rubbish.

Meanwhile, in Plymouth, the shortlisted companies are developing more detailed plans before the partnership does a further assessment this month.

Viridor has already made public its proposal for New England Quarry, which it says will go ahead regardless of whether it is chosen by the partnership as its preferred solution.

Final tenders will be invited in 2010 and the contract will be awarded at the end of next year.

The energy-from-waste incinerator is expected to be operational in 2013.

Once the contractor and solution are selected, the successful firm will need to put forward a detailed planning application, and get consent for its chosen site and the technology being used before any development can take place.

An environmental permit will also have to be obtained from the Environment Agency before any plant can be put into operation.

Local authorities face increasing pressure to reduce the amount of waste they send to landfill, with landfill tax about to rise by £8 a tonne per year, and set to hit £72 a tonne in 2013.