A "CLERICAL error" could scupper the fight against the Kidderminster incinerator, campaigners have been warned.

Kidderminster Civic Society vice-chairman Chas Townley has discovered minutes of the crunch Worcestershire County Council planning meeting did not include traffic congestion as a reason for refusing the British Sugar site as a burner location.

And he feels any future appeal from applicant Severn Waste Services and possible public inquiry to examine the decision could fail to recognise the importance of a key issue for nearby residents.

At the end of the April 9 planning and regulatory committee meeting, councillors voted 11-2 to reject plans to build the £40 million waste-to-energy burner off Stourport Road.

County council administration chief Igor Linberg then asked for confirmation of the reasons behind the decision.

After he stated health, environment and visual amenity, Mr Townley's county councillor wife Linda, who was acting as a substitute member for Councillor John Wardle, added, "and traffic".

However, it has emerged this was not added to the list and the minutes were approved at the next planning meeting on April 24.

Mr Townley said: "I feel all the councillors agreed Linda's amendment should have been included and it seems a clerical error has prevented this.

"The likely appeal and public inquiry may not explore in the detail that is required the concerns of the community about traffic congestion.

"Clearly this depends on how much the inspector is willing to consider evidence not related to the main refusal reasons."

However, committee chairman Nigel Knowles said: "I am satisfied now we have good reasons for refusal and the county council could defend these should an appeal be lodged."

In a further twist, Councillor Stephen Clee, who also sits on the committee, has objected to alleged "pressure" at the April 24 meeting.

He said: "I found the whole thing intimidating and rather than recording the meeting I attended at the town hall on April 9, they were trying to get us to accept minutes that did not reflect the meeting."

However, Mr Linberg said: "The meeting was recorded accurately in the normal style which included a summary of points raised in the discussion and debate, together with the decision of the committee as recorded in the resolution.

"The content of the resolution was read to the committee before it voted on it so it was clear as to what it was voting on."

There appears little anti-incinerator campaigners can do about the situation, as the county's chief executive has issued the decision notice concerning the meeting and minutes.

Meanwhile, if SWS is unsuccessful in its bid to build the Kidderminster incinerator, Mr Townley has called for the British Sugar site to be turned into a high-tech science park in a bid to attract businesses and create hundreds of jobs in the town.

He said civic society members believe the envisaged park could bring a much-needed jobs boost to Oldington and Foley Park, which is regularly among the areas worst hit by unemployment in the district and county.

He added: "This could be a fantastic opportunity for businesses, whether major or small, to provide high quality jobs on a 40-acre site very close to a town centre which is extremely well served in terms of motorway and rail connections.

"We are discussing the possibility of setting up a regeneration group for which we will invite representatives from the district and county council and the Advantage West Midlands funding group to sit on."