New proposals for incinerator in Badgers Mount

The incinerator, which would also produce electricity, would have the capacity to burn up to 24 lorries worth of wood every day, or 50,000 tonnes each year.

The site, which is next to Hewitts roundabout in Badgers Mount, is within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a country wildlife site and is part of ancient woodland.

It has been earmarked as part of Kent County Council’s (KCC) minerals and waste consultation and is one of three new sites which were added to the consultation last month as possible places for waste facilities to be built.

Local residents are worried about the potential health issues and increased traffic around Hewitts roundabout.

Tony White, 61, of Cloonmore Avenue, said: “I’m not happy at all as a local home owner. I’m concerned about the smoke and emissions because I know they can spread.

“It’s a lovely area as well, I do a lot of walking around there. I don’t know how well its going to be concealed but it could be a bit of an eyesore.”

He added: “The roundabout is pretty busy as it is, this can only add to problems already there.”

Diane Searle, 52, of Hill Crest Road, said: “I think it would be a complete disaster, there’s going to be a lot of emissions. There are a lot of health issues.

“I may even consider moving. I’ve lived here for 30 years but I don’t want to be somewhere where there’s this danger. I had a grandson born this week and I don’t want him exposed to this.”

Outraged residents attended a public meeting hosted by the Badgers Mount Defence Committee (BMDC) to discuss how to fight the proposals.

Liz Dallimore, Vice Chairperson of the BMDC, said: “This latest proposal is totally unsuitable for this residential area. We will not sit back and allow our community to become an industrial wasteland.”

Residents can make comments on the proposals until December 19 by visiting consult.kent.gov.uk.

Preferred sites for development will be announced in April, with the date for adoption in August 2014.