CONTROVERSIAL plans for a waste incinerator in Keighley have been debated in Parliament.

The town's Conservative MP, Robbie Moore, criticised Bradford Council's approval of the scheme.

And he condemned the Environment Agency for issuing a permit for the plant.

Campaigners claim the incinerator – earmarked for the former gas works site at Marley ­– would pose a risk to people's health and the environment, allegations refuted by applicant Endless Energy.

Speaking following the latest Westminster debate, Mr Moore said: "Labour-run Bradford Council’s decision to approve these plans in 2017 was irresponsible, naive and incredibly ill-judged.

"How can it be that on the one hand the council's air quality officer is raising no objections, its planners are saying an incinerator will enhance the quality of the environment and the council is stating there no community safety implications, and yet on the other Bradford Council is perfectly happy to implement a Clean Air Zone tax on hard-working people and families? It is ridiculous.

"I am fed up of leaders at Bradford Council taking us all in Keighley for fools. We don't want the incinerator."

A Bradford Council spokesperson says: "The Secretary of State decided not to call in our decision and the High Court’s verdict at the judicial review also agreed with our independent decision process.

"Whatever the merits of a planning application, we have to act according to strict planning regulations and the court said this has happened."

Council leader, Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, says: "The incinerator application was approved years ago by a committee of councillors drawn from all parties. Planning matters are not political decisions, they have to be made within a legal framework.

"Similarly, Bradford Council was mandated by the Government to put in place a Clean Air Zone to reduce illegal levels of air pollution which are making our children ill. What's more, we recently had a visit from the Government minister in charge of Clean Air Zones across the country to check on our operations."

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency says: "An environmental permit was issued for the incinerator following a rigorous assessment of the company’s application and all responses to the public consultations to ensure it would not pose a risk to local communities or the environment.

"The permit sets out legally-binding conditions that the operator must follow in order to protect air quality and to ensure the safe storage, management and disposal of waste."