PEOPLE on Severnside have had their say on ambitious plans for a waste incinerator which could power up to 50,000 local homes.

Residents in Easter Compton, Pilning, Severn Beach and Hallen are being given the chance to see detailed proposals of the plant, which would be built on Severn Road between Seabank Power Station and the former Terra Nitrogen factory.

Windsor Davies, who has lived in Easter Compton for nearly five decades, said: "My initial worry was about the fumes but it seems that is all sorted. My other worry was that lorries would be coming through the village but this is on the coast road and the rail track is so close.

"So it is a perfect location really and it seems a good scheme."

Katy and Wyn Tingley, also from Easter Compton, said: "Any concerns we had were about trucks coming through the village but we have been reassured that will not happen.

"We are very supportive of re-using the local railway lines and regenerating the area."

The proposals, being put forward by Sita UK, would see the eight-hectare site turned into a commercial waste incinerator, called an 'Energy Recovery Centre', capable of burning up to 400,000 tonnes of plastic, packaging and general rubbish from across the former Avon area.

All of the waste sent to the plant would otherwise been sent to landfill and if it goes ahead, it would save the region £19.2million in landfill tax.

Gareth Phillips, planning and property manager at SITA UK, told the Gazette: "The site was chosen partly because of its proximity to the National Grid and the electricity and heat generated by the incinerator, which could power up to 50,000 homes, could help new housing developments in the area.

"The Terra Nitrogen is being considered for sale and it might be that free electricity and heat help to regenerate the area faster than it might otherwise happen."

Geoff Wyatt, sales manager for neighbouring recycling company Churngold, said his firm would support the scheme.

He said: "It will be good for the environment. If we can burn it rather that go to landfill it has to be a good idea. There is nothing on that site at the moment so it is ideal."

Michael Earling, who lives in Eastville in Bristol but used to live in Severn Beach, said he was 100 percent in favour of the plans.

He said: "I am very concerned about the amount of rubbish we send to landfill and the effects the pollution will have on our water. We should be looking at more projects to take household waste."

SITA UK is expected to submit a formal planning application for the incinerator to South Gloucestershire Council in the autumn.

Further consultation events are being held on Friday (4.30-8.30pm) at Severn Beach Village Hall and on Saturday (10.30am-2pm) at St Mary’s Church Hall, Almondsbury.