WEST Wiltshire MP Andrew Murrison fears public health concerns may be downplayed as environment bosses consider Lafarge's application to burn recycled liquid fuel.

Dr Murrison is calling on the Environment Agency to take extra care when reaching its verdict after a similar application in the Midlands met with criticism.

The Environment Agency is due to announce its decision on the plans, which have met with widespread opposition in Westbury, by January 31.

The MP has seen a letter from the Health Protection Agency questioning whether the EA has sufficiently considered residents' health over Rugby Cement Works' proposed tyre burning scheme.

The letter states: "In our view the decision document is too dismissive of health issues and is not reflective of the wide range of concerns of local people."

Dr Murrison said: "It seems there is disagreement between Government agencies and I will be looking to ministers to sort it out.

"I will be writing to the Environ-ment Agency and passing a copy of the letter I have received to Eliot Morley, the relevant minister. I will say I expect a more thorough consideration of the Westbury application than the HPA apparently believes the EA has given Rugby."