CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a new waste treatment plant in Huncoat are set to be given the go-ahead.

The proposals, which have been fiercely opposed by residents, are expected to be approved after a new report was published by Lancashire County Council.

The document shows that members of the county's development control committee have been recommended to approve the new waste works, which would be built at the former Huncoat power station site near junction eight of the M65.

Huncoat Voice, a group which formed to fight the plans, said it will be making local fears known to the committee when council members meet to make a decision on the application tomorrow.

More than 300 residents have written to the council in protest at the plans and Hyndburn MP Greg Pope has had his say by insisting that the final decision on the waste plant should be made by the Government.

He has written to planning minister Yvette Cooper asking for the planning application to be "called in".

The plan has been submitted by the county as part of its strategy to increase recycling and reduce the amount of landfill waste.

It shows that the plant would be made up of four main buildings -- a composting facility, a biological treatment facility, and buildings to sort and store waste. A new access road to the site from the junction of Burnley Road with the A56 is also proposed, which would take the 544 daily heavy goods vehicle movements expected on the site.

But campaigners are concerned because it would cut through protected green belt land. Louise Burton, from Huncoat Voice, said: "We feel all along that we have been bullied and that Lancashire County Council has not listened to us.

"Greg Pope has listened and we are grateful that he has asked for the plans to be called in because that is the only fair way forward."

Mr Pope said: "Everyone agrees that we need recycling facilities but I am far from convinced that Huncoat is the appropriate venue given that the village already has the vast Whinney Hill landfill site to contend with."

Also tomorrow the campaigners will have the chance to take their concerns over the access road to Westminster.

Mr Pope and two representatives from Huncoat Voice will meet the roads minister, Dr Stephen Ladyman, asking him to look into the possibility of creating an access off the M65 that would lead directly to both Whinney Hill tip and, if it goes ahead, the proposed new waste treatment plant to take heavy traffic out of the surrounding towns and villages.