ANTI-INCINERATOR activists have welcomed the news that one plan for an energy-from- waste plant (EfW) at Ernesettle had been dropped.

However, Geraldine Lane, of the pressure group STIFLE, vowed to fight on to prevent a second scheme from seeing the light of day.

Yesterday the number of bids to build a plant to handle waste from Plymouth, Torbay and South Devon was narrowed down from five to four.

The scheme is worth about £800million over 25 years.

The South West Devon Waste Partnership announced that the company Sita had decided in advance of the latest shortlisting to withdraw its bid for Ernesettle and focus on proposals for South Yard at Devonport.

"STIFLE is pleased to see that Sita has withdrawn its proposal for the Ernesettle site, but is obviously disappointed that the waste partnership has retained the option with MVV Umwelt for incineration on this greenfield location," Mrs Lane said.

"The STIFLE campaign will continue and we will be preparing evidence for the public enquiry that we feel will inevitably follow any final decision to use the Ernesettle site."

The waste partnership, which includes Plymouth City Council, has selected four schemes to put forward more detailed plans. The schemes so far developed will be on display at a series of roadshows beginning next week.

The bidders will develop their proposals further before being assessed again next summer and shortlisted to two bidders. Final tenders will be invited late next year and the contract will be awarded in 2011.

Once the bidder and their proposal are selected, they will put forward a detailed planning application, when the public will be able to comment.

The company must win consent for its chosen site and technology before any development can start.

An environmental permit will also have to be obtained from the Environment Agency.

Cllr Michael Leaves, Plymouth Cabinet member for waste, said: "We want to get the best deal and on the right site.

We have got to take the time and go step by step. In my view there is no prospect of turning back the clock unless some fantastic new technology becomes available. The choice of technology was made under the previous Labour administration."

Cllr Roger Croad, chairman of the waste partnership, said: "Whether we like it or not, waste is everyone's problem. With more recycling and composting, we are steadily improving, but we will still need to treat the remainder."