A CAMPAIGN by Huncoat residents to stop Lancashire County Council building a new waste treatment centre on the former power station site has been backed by Hyndburn MP Greg Pope

Mr Pope met with a group of residents who have started a Hyndburn branch of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) to fight the proposals.

Speaking after the meeting he said: "I was pleased to be able to meet some Huncoat residents and listen to their concerns about these proposals.

"There is a strong feeling that Huncoat has improved greatly over recent years and therefore concern that the proposed waste transfer station may adversely affect the village. I share that concern.

"There are also concerns about the increase in traffic, noise, pollution and further increased development that the plan may bring with it.

"Not enough information is available about the proposal at the moment and residents are worried that they may suddenly be faced with a fait accompli."

He added: "I have promised to support local people and help as much as I can. As a start I shall be writing to senior officers of the County to get some answers to some questions and possibly arrange a meeting with them."

At a public meeting in October more than 100 residents vowed to fight Lancashire County Council's proposals for the waste treatment centre.

The proposed facility will use new biological treatments to break down rubbish which has not been seen as biodegradable in the past and is seen as the way to bring dumping rubbish into landfill sites to an end.

A planning application for the plant, which the CPRE claim will be the size of two rugby pitches, and more than twice the height of an average house, is expected to be submitted by the end of the year.

The county council has promised that an exhibition of the plans will go on display at the end of the month, or the beginning of next month.

Hyndburn Council's Huncoat Area Committee is due to discuss the proposed waste centre at its next meeting on Thursday, November 18.