FOR the first time since Hertfordshire County Council unveiled plans to build an incinerator in Hatfield, another possible site has been revealed.

The waste burner, which has long been mooted for the New Barnfield site, in Travellers Lane, could yet be built on land owned by Lafarge in Harper Lane between Radlett and London Colney. The news emerged after the council announced the names of the two companies that will fight it out to secure its waste management contract for the next 25 years.

They are E.ON Energy from Waste, which wants to build in Harper Lane, and Veolia Environmental Services, which wants to build at New Barnfield.

The preferred bidder will be chosen in June 2011.

Cllr Derrick Ashley, executive member for waste, said: “While our priority is to help people to reduce, reuse and recycle more of the waste we generate, the reality is that a substantial amount of waste will still need to disposed of every year.

“We want the best possible solution for Hertfordshire and I’m pleased that what residents have said is important to them – namely diverting the maximum amount of waste from landfill, recycling as much as is possible, and making the most of the waste left by recovering energy from it in the form of electricity – is what we are getting.”

It is anticipated that the facility will open in April 2015.