CLOUDS of black smoke hovering over north Swindon’s skies and an increase in people suffering from asthma is the dismal future predicted by residents if plans for a new biomass plant get the go-ahead tonight.

Around 200 people attended a public meeting to debate the plant proposed for the former SquareD factory at Cheney Manor Industrial Estate.

Many residents expressed concern that the plan by Pure Green, a low-carbon energy and animal bedding company, will have a negative effect on public health from smoke and carcinogens that might be pumped out.

Paul Saunders of Manor Gardens was nominated at the meeting, hosted at Rodbourne Cheney Club on Friday, to represent the group of opponents at Swindon Council’s planning committee.

“People are genuinely upset, some were virtually in tears and lots of people were very angry,” said Mr Saunders.

He said residents were worried about the lack of information that had been made available.

Mr Saunders, 30, said: “There has been no canvassing, no leaflets through our doors. The fact it’s taking place during the summer term when everyone is away is a concern.”

The planning committee will decide tonight whether the waste wood plant should be approved. The manufacturing facility is likely to produce 50,000 tonnes of animal bedding and wood pellets annually.

Mr Saunders said air pollution could affect thousands of people including pupils at Even Swindon Primary School, which is two miles away from the plant.

“They are going to be burning waste wood – if they don’t know what’s going in there then they cannot know what will be coming out,” said Mr Saunders.

It is believed chipboard and other items including glues and laminates will be burned there.

Councillor Des Moffatt, (Lab, Rodbourne Cheney) said: “I hope the council listens to all of the residents associations who are against this plan. I hoped the council would do the right thing and recommend it for disapproval but they haven’t.”

Forward Swindon’s business investment campaign attracted Pure Green to apply for planning permission. The company specialises in recycling wood and other natural materials into two products: biomass for use in commercial energy production, and animal bedding.

Pure Green is an offshoot of European parent, Hippofan, which has a turnover of more than £64m and employs 300 people across more than 15 different companies.

Forward Swindon declined to comment on the application while it is still being considered by the council.

Hippofan had not responded by the time the story went to print.