Waste agency: Relax the rules for giant plant

A rubbish processing authority was today accused of putting pressure on a council to relax its air quality rules to clear the way for Britain's biggest waste plant.

The North London Waste Authority plans to build the facility near Muswell Hill and Bounds Green and has told Haringey council 60 jobs would be created.

The site, near the North Circular, already has some of London's worst carbon dioxide levels and exceeds nitrogen dioxide pollution limits.

In documents, the authority states: "There may in some instances be difficult decisions to be made trading off CO2 benefits against job creation/economic benefits." It adds: "The authority therefore recommends that waste facilities should be exempt from any such policy."

A waste authority spokeswoman said it "has not unfairly tried to influence the London Borough of Haringey's environmental policy."

The council said its policy review was still being worked on.