A north Wales council is set to vote on controversial plans for a �25m incinerator which could be built on the outskirts of Wrexham.

Residents opposed to the scheme will find out on Tuesday if they have the influential backing of their local councillors.

It will determine which side the council will be on when it comes to the public inquiry - will they be speaking for it or against it

Chris Pilsbury TCC

The Welsh Assembly Government has already announced it intends to hold a public inquiry into the proposed site, which could handle more than 100,000 tonnes of waste each year.

Whilst the final decision will be made in Cardiff, Wrexham council's vote will be taken into consideration.

Chris Pilsbury from community group TCC - who are opposed to the scheme - said the meeting had important implications.

"It will determine which side the council will be on when it comes to the public inquiry - will they be speaking for it or against it.

Hundreds of people have signed petitions against the scheme

"We sincerely hope they will take into account the views of the nearly 300 letters and 13,000 signatures on a petition.

"Twenty community councils have expressed a view saying 'Please don't do it', and some of the major food factories and employers on the Wrexham industrial estate have expressed concern," she said.

The council met to vote on the issue last week, but then asked to look at the scheme's proposed site once again.

The independent investigator assigned to lead the inquiry will be appointed by the assembly next year.

Waste collection

The proposal for the incinerator was made by Portugese-based firm HLC, but has faced fierce criticism from local people on health grounds.

Welsh Environment Minister Sue Essex called the proposal in earlier this year after hearing local concerns from AMs John Marek and Janet Ryder.

The inquiry will give people the chance to voice their opinions.

The local council has said improvements have to be made for waste collection in the county.

If the incinerator was given the go-ahead, the new plant could deal with 120,000 tonnes of waste each year.