Concerns have been raised following the front page report in last week's Guardian that eight possible locations in the county for the incinerator will come under the spotlight during a public inquiry later this year.

The thermal treatment facility would handle waste from across the north west but many people believe it would pose serious health risks.

Lindy Gilbert, of Pinetree Close, strongly objects to Cheshire County Council's replacement waste local plan which has earmarked the industrial estate as a possible site.

In a letter to the county council she said: "I totally disagree with this proposal and I would ask that before using Winsford as, yet again, a dumping ground for the waste of Cheshire you consider that the residents are totally fed up with being used as the dustbin of Cheshire. In the midst of investment in a state-of-the-art medical facility, proposed new leisure facilities and Vale Royal Borough Council's commitment to attracting employment to Winsford we, the residents, are yet again forced to stand by while plans to turn our town into a dump are banded about by people who don't live in the town."

Lindy believes Winsford already has its fair share of the county's waste.

She added: "We are already fighting to save ourselves from waste being stored below our homes in the salt mines and now the county council wants to pollute the air we breathe as well."

A Government inspector will consider the proposal on October 25 during the eight-week inquiry.

Town and county councillor Tony Hooton is confident that Winsford will not be the location for the incinerator.

He said: "My view is that Winsford, by taking waste down the salt mines, is doing its fair share towards Cheshire's waste policy.

"I would be reluctant to see it in Winsford because I don't see how we can site it appropriately."

Financial Services