CORNWALL councillors have been accused of "double-crossing" the electorate after seeming to encourage the company behind a proposal for a controversial multi-million-pound waste incinerator to submit new plans – despite the former scheme being rejected last year.

In 2009, the then-Cornwall County Council refused Sita UK permission to build the Cornwall Energy Recovery Centre (CERC) on land in St Dennis, Mid-Cornwall. However, the French- owned company announced in September it would appeal the decision by the former Lib-Dem administration, forcing a public inquiry, due to be held this March.

Today, elected members of the council's Waste Development Advisory Panel (WDAP) will meet to discuss the £117 million energy-from-waste plant.

A report prepared ahead of the meeting says that the proposed centre "represents the best technical, financial and environmental option".

It adds that, while "the precise suitability of the CERC proposal will be considered at the public inquiry... it remains the adopted planning policy to deliver an energy-from-waste plant" in Cornwall.

"It is therefore recommended that Sita be requested to propose a Revised Project Plan.

"Once the Secretary of State's decision has been issued, the council will know if the current proposal by Sita has the benefit of a valid planning permission and Environmental Permit. At that time a decision can be made to either accept or reject the proposed Revised Project Plan."

The cross-party WDAP is made up of 14 councillors, five Conservative, four Lib-Dem, four independent and one Mebyon Kernow.

Last night, Matthew Taylor, Lib-Dem MP for Truro and St Austell, said electors would be "double-crossed" if the panel agreed to the incinerator.

"The Conservatives opposed the incinerator to get elected, but now they are in charge they are about to double-cross electors and back the incinerator," he said. "Conservative promises are going up in smoke at the first opportunity, and independent councillors have made the same U-turn.

"This betrayal confirms the worst fears – give the Conservatives power and they go straight back to their old tricks.

"I have consistently challenged the misleading claims put for the incinerator, and it was convincingly defeated at County Hall on clear planning grounds.

"Other communities are developing better, more environmental options for dealing with waste. If they approve this recommendation, the new Conservative- led council will be going for the easy option, at the cost of betraying local electors.

The St Dennis Anti Incinerator Group's website last night carried a message asking supporters to attend today's meeting, which is open to the public.