CONCERNED residents are expected to attend an exhibition to voice their fears over plans for a new hazardous waste plant on their doorstep.

Augean plc is hoping to submit plans to Stockton Borough Council to transform part of its land at Port Clarence, between Middlesbrough and Billingham, into a new recycling plant.

It says that the 12.7-hectare site will recover more waste for reuse and recycling - ultimately cutting the amount of waste going to landfill.

Augean already operates a landfill site to the north of the proposed development, providing waste management services for regional and national producers of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes.

However, it now wants to establish a range of treatment, recycling and recovery processes to reflect new legislation and the increased national need.

That could see additional waste products being brought to the site, including contaminated soil, wood, asbestos, solvents, paints, electronic wastes and residue from other waste treatments, such as incinerator ash.

However, residents claimed they already had enough industry on their doorstep and said they were concerned about the types of hazardous waste being taken to the plant.

Pat Beedle, of Samphire Street, Port Clarence, said: "Most of us around here are not very happy about it.

"In my street, there are a few people who have bought their own houses and they are worried about the value of them.

"We already have a recycling plant up here and we are not far from the incinerator."

Mrs Beedle said a lot of residents planned to attend an exhibition by Augean on Thursday, where they can gather information and express their views.

Gene Wilson, technical director of Augean, said: "In line with Government policy, there is an increasing need to recycle and reuse more, so that less waste is sent to landfill.

"Port Clarence Waste Recovery Park will play an important part in helping to achieve this.

"We believe that Port Clarence will become a centre of excellence for recovering the value from our more difficult to manage wastes; putting Tees Valley and the North-East at the forefront of the innovative, sustainable and integrated waste management."

The firm estimates that 60 extra staff will be needed to operate the site once it is fully operational on a 24-hour basis.

The public exhibition will be held at The Clarences Community Centre on Thursday, September 6, from 10.30am to 8.30pm.