A CITY councillor has tried to allay concerns of Spondon residents that a new waste treatment plant could be hazardous to their health.

Councillor Evonne Williams said there was no evidence to suggest emissions produced by the £48m waste-to-energy power station, planned for land near Raynesway, could be harmful.

Energy company Cyclamax wants to build the plant on the new 115-acre Derby Commercial Park off Raynesway, creating 50 jobs.

Similar to a plant proposed for Sinfin, it would turn commercial and industrial waste from city firms into energy by a process known as gasification.

But last night residents gathered to protest against the plans outside one of Spondon neighbourhood forum's regular meetings.

They claimed there were already too many emissions in the area because of an existing chemical manufacturing plant, Celanese, and feared the plant would create more air pollution.

However, Mrs Williams said there was no evidence to suggest residents should be concerned.

She said: "My back door opens up to where the site will be and I have two children. If I had any reason to be concerned, I'd be joining the protest.

"Landfill sites are filling up and, if we don't do something, landfill tax will go up and people won't be able to afford it.

"There's pros and cons to all solutions but it seems to me that Cyclamax is looking to build the plant with as little impact on the environment as possible."

At the plant, waste that cannot be recycled will be heated, causing it to smoulder at a lower temperature than in an incinerator, which the company claims produces fewer emissions.

Peter Ambler, of Holme Lane, Spondon, who organised last night's protest, turned up in a truck with placards reading "Stop the Incinerator".

The 63-year-old said: "When they burn plastics it gives off dangerous emissions.

"I have an 11-year-old granddaughter in the area and I'm concerned about her health.

"If these plans go ahead it will affect not only us, but future generations as well."

Mr Ambler was joined by six other protesters, including father-of-four David Haywood.

The 41-year-old, of Moult Avenue, said: "Research suggests children living within 5km of an incinerator – which effectively is what these plans are – are twice as likely to develop cancer.

"Within the past five years, I've lost a brother, two sisters, a very close friend and a father-in-law to cancer. That's why I don't want this plant to be built."

There was no representative from Cyclamax at the meeting.

A brochure for the development said plant emissions would be monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week and the results independently viewed by the Environment Agency.

It said: "If any of the limits on emissions are breached, the company has four hours to rectify this or shut down the gasification plant."