Stunned protesters today vowed to continue the fight to save Basildon from a massive waste plant, despite suffering a hammer blow in their three-year fight.

Essex County Council has finally revealed detailed proposals for the mechanical biological treatment and recycling plant at Courtauld Road, Basildon, which will take 700,000 tonnes of rubbish a year.

Now a final decision could be made within 13 weeks and residents fear the worst because it is County Hall which will have the final say.

Yet defiant Rob Hill, Northlands Park Res-idents' Committee chairman, who has spearheaded the three-year fight, said: "It ain't over until the fat lady sings.

"The issue had gone quiet, but it is back to the battle stations.

"We will be handing a 4,500-name petition against the plans to County Hall and calling for urgent talks with the authority."

The county council will now hold a series of exhibitions about the plans.

It has also confirmed traffic will have to enter the plant via Courtauld Road, but improvements would be made to the nearby A132, A127 and Eastmayne to limit traffic problem from hundreds of lorries.

Peter Martin, Tory cabinet member for environment, said: "Reducing the amount of household waste sent to landfill is something we must tackle across Essex or the impact on the environment will be irreversible.

"This proposed facility uses new technology that will help us to recycle more and reduce the impact we are having on the environment.

This is not just a responsibility for the residents of Basildon, we must all start to act and change our behaviour.

"The feedback we received from the public exhibitions and meetings last year was extremely useful in identifying key concerns and issues for us to address."

The exhibitions take place at Briscoe Primary School on from January 24 to 25, 4pm-8pm, and February 12 to 14, noon-8pm, and February 17, 10am-4pm, the Eastgate Shopping Centre on January 27 to 28, 10am-4pm, Eversley Leisure Centre on January 29, noon-7pm, and February 16, noon-7.30pm, Fryerns Comm-unity Centre on January 30, 1pm-8pm, Wickford Comm-unity Centre on January 31, 4pm-10pm, and Pitsea Leisure Centre on February 1 and 15, 10am-4pm.