THE FATE of plans for a major waste handling plant at Scorrier was due to be decided by Cornwall Council planners today.

Cory Environmental Municipal Services Ltd wants to build a facility for the storage, recycling and transfer of commercial and industrial waste from the mid and west of Cornwall. It currently operates at Newham, Truro.

The planning application is also for the storage, processing and transfer of other wastes for production of refuse-derived fuel.

It would operate between 6am and 6pm on weekdays, and from 6am to noon on Saturdays and Sundays.

Planning officers are recommending approval today by the strategic planning committee, subject to conditions.

Cory has offered to look at whether traffic calming measures are needed outside Treleigh School. If approved, Cory's plans would form part of Cornwall Bio Park, a cluster of complementary waste facilities on the industrial estate.

Members of the Cornwall Council committee were recently briefed on high temperature energy from waste burners.

Burner

The Cornwall Bio Park vision also includes a waste burner for commercial waste, and an application is expected to be submitted should Cory's plans be approved.

According to Russell Dodge, a director of Hallenbeagle Estates, the burner would be nothing like that proposed, and turned down, for St Dennis.

The building would be smaller, with no large chimney, and would have clean technology to prevent toxic fumes escaping in to the environment.

He said: "Nobody wants any waste facilities near them, but we are trying to change the public perception by putting them in good buildings in good landscape settings where they are part of the community."

Councillor Mark Kaczmarek, Cornwall Council's Cabinet member for planning, said there were no plans for an incinerator at Scorrier to burn household rubbish.

He said: "I've never been a supporter of a waste-to-energy plant.

"You are far better off having smaller units across the whole of Cornwall to deal with local waste.

"If this works, it can be a model for across Cornwall to deal with waste in years to come."