A DRAFT report recommending the rejection of a giant waste incinerator for Cornwall has been replaced at the last minute, the Western Morning News can exclusively reveal.

A draft document leaked to the WMN concerning the proposed Energy Recovery Centre in St Dennis, which was written by Cornwall County Council planning officers for a meeting set for March 19, clearly states a recommendation to refuse the application.

But the authority has since issued an official report for the rescheduled meeting this Thursday, which recommends approval for the 390ft incinerator in the middle of the countryside.

The change has sparked outrage among campaigners and politicians fighting the controversial plans, amid warnings that the cost of them not being approved could be more than £160 million.

County councillor Graeme Hicks has now officially asked the police to investigate the matter.

Last week, the WMN revealed fears from MP Matthew Taylor that the report had been "spiked" in favour of a document recommending approval.

The original draft report states: "It is concluded that, on balance, the planning application is contrary to the policies of the Development Plan with regard to the impacts on environmental and amenity interests and that a departure from these policies is not warranted."

However, the new document from the county council was written by a different officer and comes to the opposite conclusion, recommending that councillors vote in favour of the incinerator plans.

It states: "Overall, I believe the proposal is in accordance with national policies and the Development Plan. There are no other material considerations that would lead me to make a recommendation other than for approval."

Both reports refer to the impacts caused by noise and general disturbance, but the new one contains the following statement: "These are serious impacts that must be given significant weight. However, I do not consider they are so serious in degree that they outweigh the overall support for the proposals in the Development Plan.

"It is inevitable that harm of these types will arise to a greater or lesser degree if the aim of providing a single EFW (energy from waste unit) is to be fulfilled within the area of search."

The original draft report was prepared by experienced planning officers Chris Daly and Adrian Lea. The new one was written by Phil Mason, who has been appointed head of planning for Cornwall's new unitary authority, which comes into existence on April 1. He was previously deputy chief executive at Restormel Borough Council, which made official statements opposing the incinerator plans.

Coun Graeme Hicks, independent county councillor and leader of Kerrier District Council, said he had formally reported the matter to the police. "I want to ensure that the public retains confidence in this highly important issue," he said.

Mebyon Kernow councillor Dick Cole, chairman of Restormel's planning committee, said: "It is little wonder that people are questioning the transparency of the whole process, with the applicant being the county council's own waste disposal contractor. The people of St Dennis and Mid-Cornwall deserve answers as to what is going on. The credibility of the whole planning system in Cornwall is at stake."

Truro and St Austell MP, Matthew Taylor said the authority was "both poacher and gamekeeper", adding: "This leak makes the county council's position as a supposedly independent planning authority utterly compromised."

A council spokesman said any initial reports were "only draft" and different proposals were considered as part of the application process.

Referring to the Lib-Dems' warning of a £163 million bill if the incinerator did not get the go-ahead, he added: "The potential financial implication of a decision is not a valid planning reason for refusing or approving an application."