CONTROVERSIAL plans for a waste plant near Ramsbottom have been listed for approval – despite vocal opposition and almost 2,000 objections.

Councillors meet on Tuesday to decide whether or not the anaerobic digestion plant at Fletcher Bank Quarry in Shuttleworth should be given planning permission.

Owners Peel Environmental claim that the facility would bring £15million to the local economy.

But Ramsbottom councillor Ian Bevan urged residents, 1,900 of whom have signed a petition, to redouble their efforts to stop planners approving the application.

He said: “We now have a real battle on our hands .

“I would ask as many residents as possible to attend the meeting.

“Please be at Bury Town Hall for 6.30pm on Tuesday with banners and placards showing your views, so that we can try and convince the councillors to refuse the application.”

Peel wants to build the site, which would create electricity by using food by-products, and Tamar Energy would run the facility.

The electricity would be used by Marshalls Plc to power its activities on the site.

A spokesman for the three firms said: “An economic study has revealed that the proposed AD facility in Ramsbottom would represent an investment of over £15million for the local economy.

“The research, carried out by independent specialists Regeneris on behalf of Peel Environmental and Marshalls, shows that during the construction phase the site would support 175 full-time jobs, and create around 10 additional full-time jobs once the facility is operational.”

An application to Bury Council for the anaerobic digestion plant was withdrawn in November after council officers asked for clarification on a number of issues.