Sir - I was surprised to read the letter from county councillor Roger Belson (Letters, February 22), cabinet member for sustainable development, complaining at your selection of incinerator photographs accompanying the story of February 15.

The cabinet member, responsible for a new waste treatment facility, says the photos are 'very old', and not like newer incinerators.

In fact, the main photo you chose to print was of the 'SELCHP' incinerator in south east London which was opened in 1994 and which is operating today. The council's incinerator, if built, would be similar but perhaps cosmetically different; I suspect pollution and traffic concerns are more of a priority to local residents. The council incinerator may, or may not, be smaller than SELCHP, which burns 420,000 tonnes of waste a year; we don't yet know. The county council was developing a new minerals and waste development framework which allowed for greater public involvement in the siting of new waste facilities. However, the council suspended and then halted its development on January 3 this year.

Alternatives to incineration which genuinely reduce waste including high rates of recycling, waste prevention and non-burning solutions, like locally-based Mechanical Biological Treatment, are still an option as no contract has been signed.

Andrew Wood, Oxford Friends of the Earth