Councils responsible for a multi-million pound waste strategy are considering their next step following a report from an independent inspector.

Last Friday the Planning Inspector ruled the North London Waste Plan (NLWP) failed to meet legal requirements in consulting neighbouring authorities.

Planning departments in Haringey, Barnet, Enfield, Camden, Islington, Hackney and Waltham Forest are now forced to go back to the drawing board.

A spokesman for the North London Waste Plan said: “We are disappointed that the Inspector has not supported our position on the Duty to Co-operate.

“This means further delay and further stages for the waste plan before we can get the waste plan back to an examination.

“There is still a need for a waste plan for North London that will enable the area to take more responsibility for managing its own waste. We are actively considering how best to proceed in the light of the Inspector’s decision.”

The decision has been welcomed by campaigners against the plans, which included the development of a huge waste plant in Pinkham Way.