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

In a report, the council said it was “minded to approve” the building of the site at Fletcher Bank Quarry, which aims to 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 it and three petitions submitted.

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

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

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 more noise, 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 a £15 million boost to the local economy.