The company behind the controversial incinerator plant proposed for an industrial estate in Westbury say the organisation which has overseen the Covid-19 outbreak has given similar projects a 'clean bill of health'.

Northacre Renewable Energy Ltd, who are looking to put an Advanced Thermal Treatment operation in place at Northacre Industrial Park, just four miles from Trowbridge, say the technology they want to install has been used 'successfully and safely' across Europe for years.

Frome Town Council will be debating the plans tonight (September 17).

Trowbridge Town Council became the latest of local town and parish councils to object to the plant being developed at their monthly full council meeting on Tuesday night.

Mrs Marie Hillcoat, a member of the public from the ward of Trowbridge Town Cllr Tom Bazan, claimed, at the town council meeting: "The impacts of siting such an incinerator on the road network and the lives of people in our area are too great to ignore."

But a spokesperson for Northacre Renewable Energy Ltd is adamant the plant will be safe.

The spokesperson said: "Our previous proposal for an energy-from-waste facility was granted planning permission in 2019. However, we are now seeking to change the technology from gasification to conventional moving grate combustion.

"This technology has been successfully and safely deployed across the UK and Europe for many years.

"Public Health England has repeatedly given energy-from-waste plants a clean bill of health and is satisfied that they do not pose any risks to neighbouring communities."

The company added that emissions from the proposed facility would be tightly regulated by an Environmental Permit granted by the Environmental Agency.