PROTESTORS turned out in a Worcestershire town to voice their concerns over plans to build a £5 million eco friendly power plant.

The controversial scheme, which would be sited on the Bromyard Road Business Park, was discussed at a meeting in Tenbury Tourist Information Centre by Worcestershire county council and the developer CJ Day Associates.

But locals in the town, which has been hit by three floods in four weeks, are concerned over more disruption to businesses and residents while the biomass plant is built. The project would include a drying and pelletising facility recycling the heat generated to dry the wood chips.

One of the protestors, Alan Eachus, said the six months it would take to dig up the road to lay cables for the scheme would be too much for the town to cope with.

Phil Wakeman of the Tenbury Action Group added he did not believe the council had taken any notice of their petition, which had over 2,300 signatures.

Concerns were also raised about the extra lorries which would be going through the town.

Detailed plans, which are available on www.tenburybiomass.co.uk were unveiled at the meeting and it was explained the plant would meet environmental standards on air quality, visibility and noise.

The plant would produce enough green electricity power for 2,500 homes in the town and surrounding villages.

Simon Hartley, County Council Energy Manager said no lorries would be going over the Teme Bridge and would come though Bromyard or Leysters - and would amount to around two to four a day. He added the cabling would be laid at the same time of the resurfacing of the High Street.

It was also revealed 25 jobs would be created along with apprenticeships for local people.

Chris Day, of CF Day Associates said the importance of the plant would be to make it a carbon neutral community by providing it with heat and power from a local source if renewable fuel.

"In addition, it will provide additional income in the local rural economy. The objectors have been saying it's a waste incinerator. It is not. The plant will take wood chip and energy crop," he said.

The application will be considered by Malvern Hills District Council this month.