CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a waste energy plant in Scotstoun have resulted in almost 1000 objections.

Construction giants WH Malcolm wants to expand its existing plant in South Street by building a facility with a 230ft chimney which will turn waste into energy.

A range of materials will be "gasified" on site including office waste, plastic, paper and wood.

But the move has infuriated local people with 950 objections lodged with the city council.

Objectors include Bill Kidd MSP, city councillors, six community councils, Friends of Victoria Park, residents' associations, school councils and Friends of the Earth.

On Tuesday city planners will hold a public hearing into the scheme before making a decision.

A report to councillors says the new plant would treat waste presently sent to landfill turning it into power and heat.

It will use a method called gasification which involves treating waste in temperatures up to 1400 centigrade to produce a gas.

The report says the proposed development would result in an additional 15,000 vehicles a year accessing the waste plant.

Non-hazardous commercial, construction and demolition waste will be received 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every week of the year but the operator says 95% of the activity will happen between 7am and 7pm.

lf granted planning permission, WH Malcolm will have to apply to the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency for a permit under the Pollution Prevention and Control (Scotland) Regulations 2000.

SEPA's main aim will be to ensure the new plant is operated in such a way that human health and the environment are protected from any emissions.

If a permit is granted, the environmental agency will begin a continual assessment of the plant and its environmental performance through monitoring and continuous emissions monitoring.

However local people are still worried fumes and toxins sprayed out from the chimney will pose a major health risk not just to local residents but people living across the city.

Garscadden/Scotstounhill councillor Graeme Hendry is one of the many people who have objected to the plan.

He said: "My concern is there is no proven case of this kind of plant working in the UK and the information provided to me and the community doesn't provide the reassurances they want in the way the plant operates in terms of the safety impact.

"Another concern is traffic. Dumbarton Road, which is behind the site, is already massively backed up yet we are talking about a massive number of extra lorries coming in.

"They don't have the confidence of the community in any way, shape or form and I don't think this development should go ahead.

"WH Malcolm has tried to consult local people but they have been completely unable to convince the community about it."