AN INCINERATOR operator which burns clinical waste says its has no plans to expand its operations.

The reassurance from White Rose Environmental comes after the announcement it is applying for an Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) permit from the Environment Agency.

White Rose operates the incinerator on the Queen Mary's Hospital site in Sidcup, where it burns clinical waste from Queen Mary's and other local hospitals.

Martin Wardle, marketing director of the company, said the permit application was because of a new EU directive which comes into force in December this year.

He said: "There will be no changes to our operations at Sidcup.

"There will be no increase in through-put nor in the number of vehicles which are coming to the site."

The incinerator, which was built in the 1990s, burns tonnes of clinical waste a year.

Mr Wardle said the new EU directive would impose higher standards and tighter controls on waste incineration.

He added the company was spending a considerable amount' on upgrading its incinerators to European standards.

Details of the application can be seen at the Bexley Council's IPPC public register at 2a Hadlow Road, Sidcup, during office hours.

Anyone wanting to object has until June 28 to write to The Environment Agency, Environment Agency Office, Bedford SPG, Howard House, 40-64 St Johns Street, Bedford MK42 0DL.