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SPELTHORNE Borough Council is looking at whether to seek a judicial review over the granting of an environmental permit for the controversial eco-park planned in Shepperton.

An email seen by the Herald & News from council leader Frank Ayers showed discussions were under way about whether to submit a legal challenge, after the Environment Agency granted the permit for the site in Charlton Lane.

Sita UK, which was granted planning permission for the waste disposal plant by Surrey County Council, said the permit gave the green light for the next stage of the application process - but the borough council, which has opposed the development, is now looking at the options available.

In his email, Cllr Ayers said: "Both the council's legal and planning department are looking at the EA decision, at first glance it would appear we would have very little chance of successfully mounting a legal challenge against the EA decision, however cabinet will wait for advice before reaching a final decision."

Spelthorne Against the Eco Park group member, Brian Catt, said: "We welcome the council to take some positive action to resist the application against the plant, and there seems to be grounds for appeal."

Commenting on the permit approval, Gareth Swain, regional manager at Sita Surrey, said: Were delighted to have received the environmental permit from the Environment Agency.

"Its an important step in creating the eco-park which will treat waste in a more cost effective and environmentally friendly way, while generating green electricity to power thousands of homes.

The eco-park's batch oxidisation gasification and anaerobic digestion system will deal with 40,000 tonnes of food waste and 60,000 tonnes of household rubbish a year, and will generate sufficient electricity to power thousands of homes.

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Council mulls over eco-park environmental permit