An incinerator could be built on the site of a disused recycling centre, a Merton Council by-election candidate has claimed.

Dave Busby, a Liberal Democrat campaigner who is standing in next week’s election for the vacant Wimbledon Park seat, said he was the only candidate calling for the Weir Road recycling centre to be re-opened.

In 2011, the ruling Labour administration closed Weir Road as part of a wide range of budget cuts but Mr Busby, 25, said this left the site open to be used as a waste-burning facility.

The Durnsford Road resident, who works in property, said: “Why would Labour close such a popular and successful centre if they didn’t have other plans for the site?

“The claim that it saves money just beggars belief.

“The South London Waste Plan says the site must be used for something – a waste processing facility on the site – but it’s not suitable for an incinerator.”

Merton Council’s cabinet member for environmental sustainability, Councillor Andrew Judge, said: “The council has no intention of building a waste facility of any kind on the former Weir Road recycling centre site.”

If elected, Mr Busby said bringing back Weir Road would be his top priority.

He said: “We need a local champion who doesn’t just toe the party line but also is independent.”

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