The scheme, which will see over 200,000 tonnes of waste pass through the site, is part of a huge £700m waste management Private Finance Initiative deal being negotiated between Wakefield Council and contractors VT Environmental engineering.

Local campaigners fear the plans could set the area back 100 years if given the all clear.

The council's planning chiefs have been advised to give the scheme for the old South Kirkby pit site the all clear at a committee meeting tomorrow despite concerns about potential health risks and air pollution.

If, as expected, the plans are approved it will mean the plant becoming the main waste processing centre for rubbish from across the district.

A report to the Planning and Highways Committee says: "This planning application has been submitted as part of contractual arrangements which are being entered into between the council and VT Environmental Engineering for the management of the district's municipal waste over the next 25 years to incorporate measures to increase waste recycling and reduce landfill."

It adds that VT have also submitted proposals to redevelop the existing waste facilities on Denby Dale Road, Wakefield and replace the recycling centre on Cinder Lane, Castleford with a new one at Glasshoughton.

Biological

If permission is granted, construction of the new facilities is expected to begin next year.

VT wants to use mechanical biological treatment on the waste, with all processes taking place inside .

The plans also include a visitors centre for local schools and the public.

In total 61 individual objections have been received concerning the plans, including issues over noise, traffic and potential environmental impact.

Coun Wilf Benson (Ind, South Elmsall and South Kirkby) will be speaking against the plans at the meeting.

He said: "I'm not against recycling but this is the wrong location.

"These plans could set the area back 100 years and is the last thing we need to attract new business here.

"We've been waiting for 20 years for this site to be redeveloped and were hoping it would be with something that would take the area forward. This scheme certainly won't do that."