CONTROVERSIAL plans to build an anaerobic digestion plant in Ramsbottom will go before Bury Council’s planning committee on Tuesday.

In a planning report, the council said it was “minded to approve” the building of the site at Fletcher Bank Quarry, which would create electricity by using food by-products.

The plant would be built by Peel Environmental and run by Tamar Energy.

The plans have been met with sizeable local opposition, with 1,470 people formally objecting to the site, one person formally supporting them, and three petitions have been submitted.

The council has also received formal letters of opposition from Jake Berry, MP for Rossendale and Darwen, and Cllrs Ian Bevan and James Frith.

Peel was previously granted permission to increase the amount of landfill waste in the northern part of the quarry by Bury Council.

A report to the planning committee states that the proposed plant “could reasonably sit with and in amongst the ongoing operations”.

But opponents fear that the plant could create extra noise, more traffic and bad odours in Ramsbottom.

Peel says that the plant would provide a source of clean energy for the concrete products business run by Marshalls, and would deliver a £15 million boost to the local economy.

David Morrell, group head of sustainability at Marshalls, said: “Anaerobic digestion is a highly responsible way of dealing with organic waste — directing waste to the anaerobic digestion facility in Ramsbottom, rather than to landfill, would result in a significant displacement of approximately 30,000 tonnes per year of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.”

Peel and Marshalls also say the plant would support 175 full time jobs during the construction phase, and create 10 additional jobs once the facility has been built.

The plant has also received opposition from Bury Green Party, who are usually in favour of renewable energy.

Nicole Haydock, joint co-ordinator at the party, said: “In spite of our support for renewable energy, Bury Greens have backed the local resident’s campaign RAWS against this particular planning application from day one.”