Last week the time to register as an Interested Party in the development of a huge waste incineration plant in Belvedere came to a close.

Since October last year I have been campaigning against this application and have rallied much support. There have been a total of 87 representations to the Planning Inspectorate so far including local authorities, the Essex Wildlife Trust and a number of other local organisations.

This week I uncovered a damning report from 2018 which highlighted that the existing incinerator burned the second highest amount of waste in the country, and emitted over 800 tonnes of harmful nitrous oxide – not to mention a further 16.4 tonnes of harmful particles.

A second incinerator on the site would mean the air quality across Rainham and South Hornchurch would take a serious hit.

This comes as a World Health Organisation report highlighted that 90per cent of the world’s children are breathing toxic air.

I don’t want the children of Rainham, South Hornchurch and the south of Dagenham to suffer poor health in the future because we didn’t fight to protect their air now.

The Mayor of London has pledged to reduce nitrous oxide emissions by 45pc by 2020.

My concern is that whilst that target might be in reach – if this development is approved by the Secretary of State in 2021 that target will be a distant memory.

If residents haven’t done so already I am urging you to sign the petition on my website.

These plans pose a real threat to the quality of life in the south of my constituency, that’s why I’m urging residents to support the campaign.This isn’t a done deal. We can stop this. Sign my petition: joncruddas.org.uk/belvedere-incinerator-petition