PROTESTS are mounting in a Wirral conservation village which faces having a massive waste disposal unit on its doorstep.

People living in Eastham fear a huge influx of lorries carrying waste, mainly from Liverpool, to the proposed Biossence plant nearby.

Although those behind the innovative Biossence plant say they are committed to bring waste in by barge, villagers say there is no guarantee of this, and fear once planning permission is given, there will be no way to enforce it.

The planning decision on a new waste disposal unit on the banks of the Mersey was delayed for members of Wirral’s planning committee to visit the proposed site.

Anglo-German firm Biossence wants to build the integrated waste treatment and power generation plant in Hooton Park to process up to 400,000 tonnes of waste a year.

Hundreds of residents living near North Road, in Eastham, contacted the council opposing the plans.

They say the land it would be built on is on the border of Eastham Conservation Village and a green field site with trees up to 300 years old, and wildlife which needs protecting. But the Eastham Village Preservation Association says they are concerned the company will be using the road network to bring waste in to the plant, and to carry by- products away.

They say the council planning officer has provisionally supported the plans, but has imposed no condition of barge use.

Matthew Webster, a local resident and member of the village’s preservation association, says they fear that once the planning application is approved, there would be no possibility of enforcing it.

Mr Webster also points to the fact that there have been no planning applications submitted to Liverpool council for the necessary infrastructure for barge use.

He said: “Biossence say they plan to use barges but when you look at the application it does not guarantee barges. Their travel plan says they will be using road and bringing waste in through the Wallasey tunnel.”

But Dr Ralf Trottnow, of Biossence, insisted the company intends to make use of the site’s proximity to the Mersey. “Our preferred option has always been to transport the majority of material in and out of the site by barge,” he said.

“To that end we are currently negotiating with two commercial operators over the handling and compacting of cargo and with engineering firms over what work might be needed at the berth to receive the containers.

“We remain determined to minimise the need for road traffic to access the site and will be able to make further progress with our plans for shipping in the waste if the application for Hooton Park is determined in our favour.”

The £60m waste treatment/ recycling and energy recovery facility at Hooton Park would be the first in the UK and Biossence says it could bring about a new, greener method of handling household waste.

The development will include the use of a process known as autoclaving, to sterilise waste through steam treatment and break it down into recyclable materials, before the inert material, or “flock”, which remains is re-used to produce a gas which will in turn help generate electricity.

The company says its facility will be capable of handling 400,000 tonnes of household and some commercial rubbish a year.

The centre, which would create 100 jobs, would also be able to generate enough electricity to power 50,000 homes.

The planning application is due to be heard by Wirral Council on Thursday December 13.