ONE of the companies in the running for the £850m, 25-year contract to manage Cheshire’s waste is inviting residents to give their views on proposals for a plant in Wincham.

Resource Recovery Solutions (RRS), a partnership between United Utilities and Interserve, is launching a comprehensive engagement programme on its planned state-of-the-art facility on Wincham Lane.

The schedule includes a series of information days where people will be asked to comment on their favourite option for the design of the facility.

The waste treatment plant will recycle materials and utilise “proven gasification technology” to generate renewable energy from the remaining ‘black bag’ waste - enough to power 22,500 Cheshire homes.

An RRS spokesman said the advanced technology will be housed in a “specifically designed, modern, streamlined building” alongside a visitor and education centre, which will also be offered as a community centre.

Residents and interested parties will be able to find out more at a series of four public information days on:

- Tuesday July 28 from noon-7pm at Wincham Hall Hotel, Hall Lane, Wincham.

- Thursday, August 13 from noon-7pm at Rudheath Social Club, Middlewich Road, Rudheath

- Wednesday, August 26 from noon-7pm at Wincham Community Centre, Church Street, Wincham.

- Monday, September 7 from 2-9pm at Northwich Memorial Hall.

Jane Parkinson, project director said: “Changing the way waste is managed is an important issue for everyone in

Cheshire and we want to engage with local people to explain how our proposals will see waste managed more sustainably.

“We want to involve the community throughout the development of this important project and we are looking for people’s views on all aspects, including how the facility might look.

“Our proposals could have a significant impact on Cheshire, by helping the council to meet recycling targets, divert waste from landfill and provide renewable energy for Cheshire homes.

“It will also provide a boost to the local economy and local industry with at least 70 new long-term jobs.”