The plant could deal with 120,000 tonnes of waste each year

However, campaigners opposed to the scheme say they need further clarification about the firm's new proposal.

Portuguese-based firm HLC says it has bowed to public pressure and modified plans which will be re-sent to Wrexham council for consideration.

In relation to recycling, the project remains unchanged.

Local concerns

However, the company intends to replace the incinerator element of the plant with a thermal treatment facility developed by Bristol company Compact Power.

HLC chairman Horacio Luis Carvalho said the new plans will reduce harmful emissions.

"We have listened to the concerns about incineration and are responding both by seeking to reduce the volumes of residual waste ....and including a state of the art renewable energy plant," he said.

"This will ensure that Wrexham not only meets its recycling targets, but also uses its waste to achieve renewable energy objectives."

As far as the planning inquiry is concerned, this is clearly a matter for the Welsh Assembly Government and not Wrexham County Borough Council Phil Walton Wrexham council

However, Nia Higginbotham who has protested about the earlier proposal said she is confused by the new application.

"We're obviously very pleased that they're taking public fears seriously but until we see the new plans it's hard to know if this is a good alternative," she said.

Wrexham council spokesman Phil Walton said: "[We] welcome the developments presented by HLC and look forward to receiving detailed documentation from the HLC Consortium.

"As far as the planning inquiry is concerned, this is clearly a matter for the Welsh Assembly Government and not Wrexham County Borough Council."

Last November Wrexham councillors voted against the controversial plans.

The final decision on whether it goes ahead will now be made by the Welsh Assembly planning committee following a public inquiry in June.

If the incinerator was given the go-ahead, the new plant to be built on Wrexham Industrial Estate could deal with 120,000 tonnes of waste each year.