THE company behind the controversial bid to build a multi-million pound waste treatment plant in Hereford's Golden Valley has defended its proposal.

Estech Europe Ltd held four open days at its chosen site in Stoney Street, Madley, to show the capability of its machinery, which recycles household and light commercial waste while reducing landfill deposits.

Using a model one-twentieth the size of the original, the West Midlands-based firm showed how Herefordshire could conform to Government and European Union guidelines on reducing landfill deposits that would prevent heavy future fines.

Estech's commercial director John Thompson explained where the rubbish would end up.

"This machine, which is completely safe as it uses steam as opposed to naked flames, ensures 80% of all delivered waste will be recycled," he said.

"Around 20% of the total is recycled back into plastic and metal forms, 60% is turned into homogenous cellulose fibre, which can be used in ceramic tiles, compost and loft insulation, and the remaining 20% will go to landfill sites."

Responding to protesters' opposition to Estech's selection of Stoney Street as the desired site, chief executive Jonathan Allen said much consideration had gone into the decision to develop the facility at Madley Industrial Estate.

"We employed independent contractors from Shrewsbury to carry out an environmental survey on where best to locate in Herefordshire," he explained.

"They looked at 12 different sites, and compared them on various issues, such as road access, proximity of housing and flooding."

"They were marked out of a total of 70 and the site at Madley was perceived to be the best with 60 points and that is why we chose to locate here," he added.

Other scores from the survey included: Rotherwas 45, Thorn Lighting 52 and Moreton on Lugg 46.

The planning application for development, which would create 26 jobs, is expected to go before Hereford Council on February 18.