A tip in central Bradford has been earmarked as a possible site for building a waste treatment plant for the Bradford district.
The Bowling Back Lane household waste recycling site is at the centre of a row after allegations from Liberal Democrat Councillor David Ward.
He has accused Bradford Council of plotting to build an incinerator on the land without asking people what they want.
Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, the executive member of environment and culture, has strongly denied the accusations. She said: "I refute the implication that there is any form of done deal.
"The existing waste transfer station at Bowling Back Lane might be part of the long-term solution to Bradford's waste disposal but no decision has been made yet whether a treatment facility will be needed, where it will be or what it might be.
"I can reassure the public that we will be keeping them informed on these issues, and other waste disposal options, before any decision is made."
The row comes as the district seeks to avoid heavy fines unless it slashes the amount of waste sent to landfill by 2020.
About 80 per cent of Bradford's household waste ends up being dumped in landfill at the moment. Unless that figure is reduced dramatically the Council could end up paying fines of nearly £13 million a year after Government penalties come into force.
Coun Ward (Idle and Thackley) accused the Council of pursuing a "flawed strategy" for waste disposal.
He said: "The Council's executive is clearly moving towards building an incinerator for domestic waste at the site in Bowling Back Lane.
"It doesn't take a genius to work out that, badged up as a revised depot consolidation strategy', and with the Government supporting incineration, this is where Bradford's site will be, because the site already has a waste disposal licence.
"Effectively, the citizens of Bradford are sleepwalking into a plan which they haven't had a chance to debate."
e-mail: jo.winrow@bradford.newsquest.co.uk
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