A YOUNG family is urging neighbours to act quickly to prevent plans for a new type of waste facility being granted permission.

Doctors Deborah and Robert Lister, both 38, have asked their children's primary school in Farndon if they can distribute letters warning parents of the dangers they fear will come if the project is given the go-ahead.

Previous plans to build an incinerator in Wrexham were binned in the face of extreme public opposition from residents of villages such as Tarvin, Farndon and Tilston, who feared the emissions could be harmful to themselves and the environment.

The company behind the move, HLC, has come back with plans for a different type of facility, claiming it will be better for the environment as it bakes rather than incinerates the waste.

However, objectors say the facility is still legally classed as an incinerator.

'They are trying to sell it as this magical green alchemy-type facility but at the end of the day it is still incineration,' said Robert.

Critics say the area is being used as a guinea-pig as there is only one other similar facility in the country and it is an eighth the size of the one planned for Wrexham.

HLC is taking the plans to areas where the public may have an interest. Today (Friday) there will be an open viewing in Farndon.

As the deadline for objections approaches, critics say it is vital to send representations as soon as possible.

Robert, a dermatologist, Deborah, a part-time GP, their twin seven-year-old daughters and their four-year-old son moved to Farndon four years ago.

They are wary of claims the plant will not affect them or their children.

'The site is about 1.5 miles away and the prevailing wind is in our direction,' said Deborah.

'We are objecting because we are medical doctors. We worry about the matter coming from the plume - dioxins, furans, particulates, sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases. We know some of those will land on the soil and accumulate in the food chain and into cows' milk.'

The plans are on view from 3-8pm at Farndon War Memorial Hall, Church Lane.

Objections must be sent to chief planning officer, Wrexham County Borough Council, Lambpit Street, Wrexham LL11 1WL by February 21.

Company defends its process

HLC says tried and tested landfill sites actually pump more harmful gases - including methane and carbon dioxide, both greenhouse gases - into the atmosphere than the scheme it is proposing.

By turning waste to ash, the amount of land used to store waste will be reduced if its scheme goes ahead.

The UK landfills 83% of its rubbish and is one of the worst countries in Europe for recycling.

Responding to fears that the processes are not entirely safe, HLC said systems would be in place to stop emissions escaping in the event of a fire.

'Treatment of waste via pyrolysis and gasification leaves two types of residue - bottom ash and lightweight ash,' said a company spokesman.

'Bottom ash is a solid, highly stable material, containing minute levels (less than one ten-millionth of the ash) of substances like dioxins and furans.

'It is often reused in breeze-block or road repairs. If not, it can be disposed of safely in a normal landfill site.

'The metals, dioxins and furans are tightly bound in the ash and landfills are designed to minimise any environmental harm.

'The lightweight ash is trapped by the air pollution control system. This is safely disposed of at a specially licensed landfill site and represents less than 1% of non-recyclable waste.

'Comprehensive fire prevention arrangements will be in place and, as with any industrial plant, fire within the pyrolysis chamber would result in rapid shutdown. Emissions will then rapidly reduce to insignificant levels once the fire is quenched.

'In summary, control systems are in place which are designed to ensure that any short-term problem or increase in emissions from the proposed facility can be prevented or rapidly detected and remedial action taken.'