CONTRACTS for the construction of a controversial new waste incinerator are about to be signed allowing building work to begin.

Outstanding issues relating to the planning permission granted for the former quarry site in Allington, near Maidstone, were settled last year by Kent County Council.

It followed the decision by the Environment Agency to grant Waste Recycling Group an operating licence, subject to strict conditions in September 2003.

A spokesman for WRG said: "We should be seeing building activity on the site within the next couple of months. We are waiting to have contracts signed for supply of technology and design and build. We are expecting this to take place shortly."

There has been strong local concern, including objections from Maidstone Borough Council, that the incinerator could cause pollution as well as increased traffic congestion.

The whole project is expected to take two-and-a-half years to complete. Once open, it will be capable of incinerating up to 500,000 tonnes of waste a year and recycling at least another 65,000 tonnes of rubbish.

WRG has a 20-year contract with KCC to dispose of about 350,000 tonnes of household waste from Maidstone, Tonbridge and Malling, Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks, Swale, Gravesham and Dartford.