Plans to build a recycling plant on farmland near Preston's Docklands are expected to get the go-ahead by Lancashire County Council despite huge public opposition.

The proposed development off Wallend Road, Riversway, which would be bigger than two football pitches, with buildings 13 metres high, goes before the the council's development committee on Wednesday, August 10.

Mark Jewell, chairman of the Residents Against the Transfer Station group, will give a 30-minute presentation to members of the committee on Tuesday, outlining residents' objections to the scheme.

In May Preston City Council's planning committee rejected the plans on five grounds, one of which was that it could jeopardise the £800million Riverworks scheme to regenerate areas around the River Ribble.

The other objections were that the site is on a flood plain, it is situated on green field and arable land and that it would be a blight on the landscape. There are also clams about increased traffic congestion from the 168 lorries coming and going each day.

But LCC's development control committee has the final say on the scheme, and the authority has recommended councillors grant permission for it to go ahead. Mr Jewell said: "The waste transfer station wil not be in keeping with the development of the area or help in the regeneration of the docklands.

"In Preston's local plan this land is designated as open countryside.

"We are not against recycling, it is the right proposal but in the wrong place, the county council should revert to their contingency site at Red Scar."

A 24-page document written by officers at county hall has been submitted with the application.

It states: "The site is well served by the primary road network and subject to appropriate planning conditions.

"The development would not have an adverse impact on the local amenity or the future development of this area of Preston."