AN appeal by Severn Waste Services is "on the cards" after the company's plans for a waste recycling plant and incinerator in Kidderminster went up in smoke.

The planning application, submitted by contractors Severn Waste Services, was rejected by 11 votes to two at a special meeting of the county council's planning and regulatory committee held in Kidderminster Town Hall yesterday.

Independent consultants Entec, commissioned by the council, had recommended approval.

Alison Cairns, spokeswoman for Severn Waste Services, said an appeal was "certainly on the cards".

"We put together a first-class application and it is disappointing to see so many aspects not appreciated," said Phil Sherratt, Severn Waste's area director.

"I need to go away and take advice regarding an appeal - there's a proper process to go through," he added.

During the meeting, Mr Sherratt told councillors the proposed site for the waste facility - the British Sugar factory site in Stourport Road - was the "best available".

Councillors rejected the scheme on the grounds of "visual amenity, impact on nature and canal conservation areas and loss of sports provision".

Traffic congestion was also cited, as well as pollution and "public concern, generally".

More than 3,500 people had signed a petition against the development, and 1,800 people wrote to object.

Spokeswoman for Stop Kidderminster Incinerator, Clare Cassidy, said the evidence backed the protesters.

"The Entec report did not stand up to scrutiny," said Miss Cassidy, who had called the report "unsound" and "highly misleading".

"Thank God we have a democratic system in England" said the committee chairman, Nigel Knowles, who is the Mayor of Kidderminster.

But Coun Jeremy Webb, one of the two Liberal Democrats who opposed refusal, accused Conservative and Labour members of a "weak-kneed" approach.

If the £40m facility were to go ahead, it would be operational in 30 months and create up to 100 jobs, said Severn Waste.