PLANS to build a waste treatment plant in Thornton are to go under the spotlight at a public meeting.

Lancashire County Council wants to build the plant at the former Burn Hall site off Fleetwood Road, but there are concerns over its impact on the area's busy streets.

Wyre Borough Council has pledged to hold a public discussion when the plans are submitted.

Howard Phillips of the Thornton Action Group said: "I understand it is not an incinerator so we are not worried about emissions. What we are concerned about is the amount of traffic it will generate.

"We are going to look at the proposals very carefully. We are in favour of doing as much as we can to recycle waste. We cannot continue filling up estuaries and holes in the ground."

He suggested a site at the end of the M55 would be more suitable for the new plant.

Wyre's social environment portfolio holder, Cllr Russell Forsyth, said: "Lancashire County Council states that they will hold an exhibition to show the plans to the local community.

"When that happens Wyre Borough Council will hold a public meeting to debate the issues.

"We will also be looking to identify sites where similar plants exist around the country and visit them to gauge the impact they have on local communities and on the traffic network.

"We feel that this would be invaluable in helping us offer our views on this matter to Lancashire County Council."

The county council is expected to submit plans for the scheme this month or next. Although Wyre Borough Council will be consulted, it will not have a final say on whether the scheme gets the go-ahead.