RESIDENTS have hit out against an "ill-mannered" and "inappropriate" gas plant plan in their village.

A petition has gathered over 200 signatures as residents of Hindlip voice their concerns over Stenergy's plans to build an anaerobic digestion facility within the community.

The 'green' food waste plant is proposed for Court Farm, on Hindlip Lane, and will include a biomethane gas-to-grid plant and new access.

Many have said the location is inappropriate for green belt land and feel like it could affect their quality of life.

FUTURE: Stenergy Ltd in Worcester has revealed the next steps for its 'pioneering' food waste 'green gas to grid biomethane facility at Hindlip, near Worcester (Image: Stenergy Ltd) Ben Serrano, a resident speaking on behalf of neighbours, said: "The proposed gas plant is completely inappropriate for this Green Belt location, which should be protected.

"Its proximity to residential properties raises serious concerns about noise, pollution and residents’ quality of life.

"This is a proposal that is genuinely sitting on peoples’ doorsteps.

"This ill-conceived plan not only fails to address flood risks but also goes against local planning policies, making it both unsuitable and unjustifiable.”

What is Stenergy's plans with your food waste?

Stenergy’s £30 million biomethane plant will convert 48,500 tonnes of domestic and industrial food waste annually into renewable energy.

To achieve this, the plant in Hindlip will collect food waste separately from every household in the county instead of it being put into a landfill.

Mr Serrano and Wychavon District Councillor Daniel Birch have gathered 219 signatures so far against the plans.

Cllr Birch added: "To build a facility of this kind in a built-up residential area within a mere few yards of residential properties, local businesses and the police and fire headquarters is wrong.

"I will concede these facilities have a role to play in our county, but that role needs to sit within a far more rural setting.

"We as a community cannot support this."

The plans also surprised nearby Claines councillor and Worcester mayor Mel Allcott, who said she expected an earlier consultation period.

Keith Warburton, chief executive officer of Synergy, said he is committed to addressing residents' concerns and the plant complies with the strictest environmental permits.

PIONEERING: Keith Warburton, Stenergy’s Chief Executive Officer'STATE OF THE ART': Keith Warburton, Stenergy’s chief executive officer (Image: Stenergy)

He added: "Concerns about noise, pollution, and odour are key components detailed within our Environmental Risk Assessment and have been satisfactorily addressed in our plans.

"The biomethane plant will be state-of-the-art, designed to operate cleanly and without odour emissions.

"It will also include robust measures to mitigate noise and other environmental impacts.

"The site’s history as a former agricultural college and dairy farm, which is classified as a brownfield redevelopment, previously generated significant odours.

"It highlights its transformation into a much cleaner and odour-free facility."

The plans aim to install the first food waste plant in Worcestershire, and Mr Warburton said the Hindlip site offers close proximity to the Local Authorities Depot at Sixways, which is ideal.

The deadline for consultation is Thursday (December 5). Opinions on the plans can be expressed via worcestershire.gov.uk/eplanning using application reference 23/000007/CM.