More than 100 people had their say at a public meeting on a new £500million waste incinerator in Essex.

Councillors and residents bandied together to speak out against the Rivenhall incinerator proposals and collect responses to the latest plans for the site.

The campaigners said it would see an extra 400 lorries on the A120 and could lead to Essex processing waste from elsewhere across the country.

They also said it would create 150,00 tonnes of toxic ash in Essex.

Lynette Bowers Flint, councillor for Braintree District Council, said it was the largest turn out at a public meeting she had attended in 30 years.

She said: “The proposed Rivenhall incinerator is the wrong scheme in the wrong place. It is not needed.

“The impact on communities and the environment will be too great. It should be thrown out.”

The latest application submitted to Essex County Council, is to increase the stack height of the incinerator to 58m.

If it goes ahead it will be one of the largest in the country and process 600,000 tonne per annum.

Campaigners want Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Environment and Rural Affairs, to call in the application and make a decision on it at the highest level.

Priti Patel, MP for Witham, is backing residents’ No Essex Incinerator campaign and has said plans should be axed.

A statement from Ms Patel said: “The development of the Rivenhall Incinerator is an outrage and will cause harm and disruption to surrounding communities.

“The impact on health and on our roads cannot be underestimated. This development is unwelcome and unwanted.

“As things stand, the decision by the Environment Agency to grant an environmental permit is deeply disappointing and I know that local people are concerned about the current planning application being considered by Essex County Council.

“These proposals can still be blocked and I will do all I can to work with local campaigners to stop them.”

A decision on the latest plans is not expected in the near future.