THE proposed site of a multi-million pound waste treatment plant in Hereford's Golden Valley will be inspected by county planners.

With about 100 objectors to the scheme packing Herefordshire Council's chamber, councillors decided insufficient information was available to make a decision and that a site visit should be carried out in Stoney Street, Madley, at a date to be arranged.

Estech Europe Ltd's plan for a recycling plant, capable of processing 100,000 tonnes of light commercial and household waste each year, has attracted mass opposition from villagers.

A total of 400 letters were sent to the council before Christmas, citing a number of reasons why the application should be rejected.

The most prominent lies with the estimated 160 lorries travelling to and from the site on a daily basis. Quoting safety and congestion issues, protesters claim small country lanes could not cope with such heavy transport.

But Estech bosses say an independent body conducted an in-depth survey on their behalf to find the best site in Herefordshire for the machinery, which will reduce landfill deposits by 80%.

They say 12 different sites were compared on various issues, such as road access, proximity of housing and flooding, and Stoney Street was perceived to be the most appropriate.

Following their site visit, councillors are expected to say yea or nay to the recycling plant at a March 17 meeting.