A WASTE incinerator for Plymouth will move a step closer this week when the final shortlist is announced.

Three companies have put forward five possible schemes for the controversial £100million waste-to-energy plant to handle household rubbish from Plymouth, Torbay and South Devon.

On Thursday the South West Devon Waste Partnership will invite the final bidders to put together detailed plans.

Three companies – MVV Umwelt, Sita UK and Viridor – have come up with five different plans, all for incinerators, at Ernesettle, Devonport's North and South Yards, and New England Quarry near Lee Mill.

Viridor has already said that it will build an energy from waste (EfW) plant at New England Quarry, regardless of the outcome of the bidding. Councillors from Plymouth, Devon and Torbay, who form the partnership, will be shown details of all five plans at their meeting in Exeter on Thursday. Final tenders will be invited in 2010 and the contract will be awarded at the end of next year.

A series of exhibitions next month will give an overview of the plans. A waste roadshow will visit Plymouth, Saltash and Torbay. The roadshow will be open to all on: November 9, 5pm-8pm, Ernesettle Community School, Biggin Hill, Ernesettle, Plymouth; November 11, 4pm -8pm, City College Plymouth, Kings Road, Devonport, Plymouth; November 12, 5pm-8pm, Ashtorre Rock, Waterside, Old Ferry Road, Saltash; November 13, 4pm-8pm, The Watermark, Leonards Road, Ivybridge; and November 14, 10am-2pm, Plymouth Guildhall.