CONTROVERSIAL plans for a multi-million pound waste treatment and recycling plant in Herefordshire's Golden Valley have been unveiled.

The company behind the scheme, Estech Europe Ltd, has submitted proposals to build the facility at the Stoney Street Industrial Estate in Madley, which would bring 26 full-time jobs to the area.

If approved by Herefordshire Council, 160 heavy goods vehicles will visit the site on a daily basis as 100,000 tonnes of household and commercial waste are treated each year.

Estech's business development director, Peter Coe, said the facility was much needed in the county.

Targets

"This proven state-of-the-art technology will help Herefordshire to meet new government legislation regarding recycling targets," he said.

"This plant, which is perfectly safe, will recycle 80% of the delivered waste and help to reduce landfill deposits."

Representatives from the West Midlands-based firm will explain their proposals in greater detail to affected residents at Madley Village Hall on Monday (December 1) at 7pm.

During this meeting, villagers will be told that although planning asks for opening hours of 24 hours a day, six days a week, this will only be the case in busy times.

Normal operations will run for 16 hours a day and for five days a week, with heavy goods vehicles' movements restricted from 7am to 6pm.

But with news beginning to spread through the community, Madley Parish Council chairman Melanie Northall, believes some villagers already harbour doubts.

"People are worried about the increase in traffic because although the general volume of traffic will not vastly increase, studies show the numbers of lorries will rise over 500%," she said.

"Personally, I have nothing against the waste treatment plant, but I think a better location could have been chosen."

"There are alternatives in the county, including the site at Moreton-on-Lugg, which is right next to an 'A' road," she added.