THE Edmonton incinerator complex is going to be “replaced” as part of an overhaul of waste management in north and east London, a councillor has said.

Councillor Clyde Loakes, chairman of the North London Waste Authority (NLWA), made the surprise announcement at a meeting last week, speaking in his role as environment chief at Waltham Forest Council.

The senior councillor referenced the replacement for the incinerator while discussing “the biggest and most significant infrastructure project in London and the south east for the foreseeable future, other than the Olympics.

However, NWLA has subsequently denied that any decision on the incinerator's future has been made.

The future of the incinerator, officially known as the EcoPark complex, will be considered as part of a review into waste management across north and east London.

However, NLWA is still tendering for a firm to conduct the review and it is not expected to deliver its findings before 2012.

In a new statement issued by Cllr Loakes, he said no decision would be made until 2012 on the future of the Edmonton plant.

He said: “The existing energy-from-waste plant at Edmonton cannot provide a long-term solution for north London's household waste.

"After the procurement process has completed in 2012 we will have a much clearer idea of what the future holds for the energy from waste facility at Edmonton."