The projects have been given the go ahead for the next stage of the PFI process after applying to Defra's Waste Infrastructure Delivery Programme (WIDP) for PFI credits.

Environment Minister Joan Ruddock said:

"Each of these projects plans to deliver major waste infrastructure to help reduce the amount of England's waste ending up in landfill. This reduction is an essential part of the drive to tackle climate change and meet the UK's landfill targets."

The successful authorities are:

* Norfolk County Council
* Milton Keynes Council & Northamptonshire County Council
* Gloucestershire County Council
* Essex County Council & Southend Borough Council
* Leicestershire County Council
* Lincolnshire County Council
* Staffordshire County Council

The authorities must now submit their Outline Business Cases (OBC) by 30 April 2008. If approved, the schemes will be advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union in Autumn 2008.