People concerned about plans to build an electricity generator on a landfill site near Wrexham have attended a packed public meeting.

The site at Hafod Quarry in Johnstown was granted planning permission to be used as landfill in the 1990s, but no tipping has ever taken place.

Wrexham council have put the plans out for consultation

Now fresh plans to start using the site and construct a waste gas-to-energy generator have been submitted.

More than 300 residents voiced their concerns at Monday's meeting which was attended by local councillors and AM Karen Sinclair.

They are concerned that the facility would produce dioxins - an unwanted by-product of some heating processes.

Johnstown councillor Jim Woodrow said public feeling ran high at the meeting.

Local residents are organising an action committee, they're concerned about traffic, noise, nuisance and smells Janet Williams CPRW

"People were standing in the corridors to attend, it was packed.

"The applicants [MWH Associates] are intending to provide turbines to generate electricity from the gas produced through the waste.

"Residents are also concerned about the noise and dust which will be produced.

The application is being made by Liverpool-based MWH Associates, who are bidding to buy the site from its current owners Cheshire Waste.

'Energy and enthusiasm'

A spokesperson for MWH said the application was made so they could make use of the latest technology to deal with waste.

Wrexham council have put the application out for consultation.

Janet Williams from the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales (CPRW) said the community have pulled together to voice their concerns.

"I have never seen such energy and enthusiasm involving the local community.

"Local residents are organising an action committee. They're concerned about traffic, noise, nuisance and smells.

Residents would prefer to recycle waste

"Some people at the meeting said the landfill site was just 50ft away from their house."

Environmental campaigners have voiced their concerns over the release of noxious gases including dioxins.

Scientists are currently working to establish the exact toxicity of dioxins.

Cancer

It is reported that they could have an adverse effect on people's health and increase the likelihood of cancer.

A draft report from the US Environmental Protection Agency indicated dioxins are considered a serious threat to public health.

Wrexham council are expected to meet to discuss the Johnstown landfill site in April.

Other landfill sites in Wrexham include the Pen-y-Bont site in Newbridge and another at Gardden Road in Ruabon.

Plans for a �25m waste incinerator to be built on the town's outskirts are being discussed by the Welsh Assembly.

Last year councillors refused to support a recommendation to back the application by Portuguese-based firm HLC.

It is now subject to a public inquiry later this year.