ENVIRONMENTAL watchdogs in Warrington have voiced fears about plans to develop a healthcare waste treatment facility in the town.

Members of the Agenda 21 waste group are keeping a close eye on Sterile Technology Incorporate's (STI) plans for land off Winwick Road and have even arranged for a special meeting with them.

The company lodged plans for the treatment and recycling facility in February.

They include a major redevelopment of the site and a series of land works to improve the existing site conditions.

Although the scheme involves the treatment and recycling of healthcare wastes, the developers claim there would be no disposal of healthcare waste on site and no hazardous waste would be treated at the facility.

Following treatment, the waste would be transferred to a purpose-built recycling building where materials such as glass, plastic and metal would be segregated for removal from site.

It is proposed that the facility will operate 24 hours a day, 350 days a year.

Public meetings and exhibitions are planned to give residents and business people a chance to ask questions about the plans.

John Earle, assistant director of planning, said: "We wish to inform the general public on this application because it may be considered to give rise to potential environmental issues beyond the immediate confines of the site and may, therefore, be of wider public interest."

The plans are available for viewing at the Community Services council offices at New Town House between 9am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday and at Orford Library during normal opening hours. Alternatively, people can call STI's information line on 0800 0854 339.