KNUTSFORD would not escape any pollution created by emissions from a proposed energy plant and the resulting traffic.

So claims Knutsford resident Mabel Taylor in the wake of news of a bid by Tata Chemicals Europe to increase the power output at its proposed energy plant at Lostock Gralam.

Mabel said: “The recent announcement by TATA that it is to proceed to build its Wembley Stadium-size waste incinerator in Lostock means that, along with the other incinerator to be constructed on the same site by OWM and the DONG waste processing plant, Knutsford will be faced with having one of the largest waste burning and processing facilities in the world on its doorstep.

“It means 20,000 tonnes of waste will be transported into Lostock on large HGV lorries every week on already crowded unsuitable roads.

“TATA seem to have seized the opportunity to increase the capacity of their proposed incinerator from 60 MW to 90 MW following China`s decision to stop taking waste from the UK, leaving local authorities with the problem of disposal, gifting TATA with an ideal 'business opportunity'.

“Pity those nearby who will suffer from the disruption of the extra road traffic envisaged to transport the waste and the effect on local air quality, and Knutsford will not escape being downwind of any pollution created from road traffic and incinerator emissions.

“As Cheshire has sufficient recycling facilities to deal with any waste created in Cheshire, it seems Cheshire is now viewed at the ideal recipient for other people's waste, and if this unwelcome project is given the go-ahead we need to know beforehand the source of the waste needed to fuel a 90 MW incinerator.”

Tata Chemicals Europe has discharged all planning conditions from approval in 2012, meaning its Lostock Sustainable Energy Plant can proceed as proposed.

The company has made a variation application to the Secretary of State to increase the power output from 60 MW to up to 90.

A Tata spokesman said: “The variation application does not seek any changes to the approved design and layout and doesn’t affect the previously reported environmental impacts.

"The increase in power output is possible due to the identification of more efficient equipment, and changes to the fuel composition as a result of changes in the recycling rules.”