PROTESTERS are demanding a public inquiry after a cement firm was given the go-ahead to use construction waste on a trial basis in its kilns.

Castle Cement has also been given permission to use its controversial waste fuel, Cemfuel, in kiln seven at its Clitheroe plant for the six-month period.

Residents voiced their concerns at a public meeting in Clitheroe yesterday and were due to do the same at a second meeting today.

Government pollution watchdog the Environment Agency claims the scheme complies with strict European standards on the disposal of waste.

It says equipment attached to the kiln seven chimney will continuously monitor emissions during the trial and ensure the operation complies with the European Directive on Hazardous Waste.

Castle Cement wants to use up to 100 tonnes a week of the new material - less than one per cent of its total input - as a replacement for limestone in the making of cement.

Bosses claim it will reduce the need for quarried limestone and the unnecessary landfilling of recyclable materials.

The waste will include broken concrete roof tiles and paving stones.

Over 300 residents have already contacted the Environment Agency protesting about the plan.

But Bolton-by-Bowland mum Mary Horner, of protest group AirWatch, called for a public inquiry.

"There should be an inquiry into why this proposal is even being considered. The kiln is not stable, can't meet its emission limits and the plume grounds," she said.

Lynda England, of Residents Against Toxic Substances and Clitheroe and District Friends of the Earth, called on the agency to be vigorous in its monitoring of kiln seven.

But Ian Sutheran, general manager of the Clitheroe plant, said: "Kiln seven, on which a £5 million gas-cleaning system was installed last year, has the best environmental performance of any cement kiln in Europe, is stable and operates well within emission limits.

"All the criteria for burning alternative fuels and utilising recycled cement-based products will be met and we are confident there will be no adverse environmental impact through their use."

A four-week consultation period will now take place.

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