SCORES of residents gathered in a protest against plans to build a thermal waste treatment plant on a Caldicot industrial estate.

Around 50 residents gathered outside the site yesterday evening, with many holding banners up against the submitted planning application by DPS Process Solutions Limited.

Protestor Anne Benkins, of Sudbrook, said: "I am very concerned about the waste plant being developed so near to residential housing.

"There is the potential for toxic air pollution as well as significant noise nuisance which will adversely affect the quality of life of local people.

"Even if the project conforms to EU regulations on emissions the nearby motorway/Severn Bridge means that the area already suffers from compromised air quality.

"Add to this the air pollution from the proposed plant and this is likely to become detrimental to people's health and the environment."

Rachel Garrick, former election candidate for Portskewett, said there is "growing concern."

"Many people are worried about health and environmental effects of the proposed development," she said.

The application, lodged by DPS Process Solutions Limited, seeks permission to install two 15.5 metre-high stainless steel chimneys which would burn treat up to 20,000 tonnes of materials per year.

Storage containers would also be built at the Severn Bridge Industrial unit in Symondscliff Way, Portskewett.

The former Tata Steel site is currently used by DPS as a commercial research and development centre, which would “thermally treat a range of waste types” if proposals are approved.

Despite DPS asserting that all materials handled at the site would be “non-hazardous”, concerns remain over the unit’s close proximity to residential areas.

An air quality assessment estimated that emissions of some materials would fall within accepted limits and would have “negligible long-term effects”.