Herefordshire Council has put up a wall of silence to questions regarding a proposed multi-million pound waste treatment plant, according to Madley Parish Council.

It says it has been unable to gather vital information on Estech Europe's plans to build the recycling facility on the Stoney Street Industrial Estate.

Chairman Peter Hince and vice-chairman Joanne Yates are demanding to know why the council did not put out to tender the multi-million pound contract to deal with the county's ever-growing waste mountain.

"With such a massive contract worth so much money, you would think the council would invite offers from many companies to get the best deal for Herefordshire taxpayers," said Mr Hince.

"But as far as we can work out, Estech has been the only company to be offered the contract worth so much money and we want to know why."

Mr Hince said Madley Parish Council had repeatedly written letters and made phone calls to understand why the contract was not put out to tender, but had received little in response.

Herefordshire Council had failed to respond to the Hereford Times' questions about the tendering process at the time of going to press.

Councillors are expected to hear Estech Europe's second application on March 15.

Estech's initial application was approved, but a High Court judge has ruled that the councillors' decision was flawed.