The multi-million pound recycling and energy generating plant will cover 29 acres and deal with everything from industrial waste to household rubbish.

It will be part of a �250m renewable energy park, which will be built in the Fengate area of Peterborough.

But Friends of the Earth (FoE) is concerned about emissions from the plant and technology being used.

Emissions questioned

The developer will be Peterborough Renewable Energy Ltd (PREL) which is part of the international Global Olivine company.

Global Olivine claims the plant will aid recycling, eliminate the need for landfill and reduce carbon dioxide emissions significantly by using eight high temperature incinerators to process waste.

An FoE spokesperson said: "The scale of the plant proposed is truly massive: it will be the largest waste treatment plant built in Europe.

"It will also be the first time that all the various waste treatment processes have been combined together in one facility."

FoE has raised concerns about plant emissions and is questioning the technology being used.

An FoE spokesperson said the group had been informed that a licence will be issued shortly by the Environment Agency.

PREL is currently involved in preliminary discussions with the Peterborough City Council.

The facility will generate energy greater than 50MW, consequently it does not require planning permission.

It will however require permission from the Department of Trade and Industry to build.