PLANS for a biomass plant on the former Oran site at Lambhill Farm in Blairingone will be scrutinised by the public at a Q&A next month.

The proposal, by newly formed company Lambhill Energy, is for a Renewable Energy Combined Heat and Power Plant and associated wood chip and shavings production facility.

Creating up to 18 jobs, the facility would both generate electricity and heat using wood chips as fuel � a carbon saving of c.11,000 tonnes per annum over using fossil fuels � while also producing "high quality" wood shavings for animal bedding.

A report produced by AIM Energy Ltd states that wood for the operation will be sourced "subject to on going availability and economic pricing" from Scottish forests and claims Lambhill Energy is in final negotiations with a "major and highly respected" private forestry supplier.

The report adds, "It is hoped that at least 80 per cent of the heat generated, in the form of hot water, will be utilised in a belt drier for drying wood shavings produced on site or for the production of 'dry' wood chips.

"Further opportunities will be sought to maximise the use of available heat, e.g. possibility of drying of grain, sawdust etc.

"Please note that this is NOT a waste processing facility. The plant does not have the capability to process waste and the necessary consent to incinerate waste is not being sought." Despite assurances over the avoidance of waste, some residents are apprehensive, recalling the battle they had over the spreading of sewage on land close to the village at the beginning of the century.

Duncan Hope, former convener of the Blairingone and Saline Action Group, said he hoped Fossoway & District Community Council would recommend refusal for the development.

He went on, "We do not want to have to reform the action group but that is a distinct possibility as a means of stopping this development.

"There is a lot of anger in Blairingone over these proposals.

"We did not fight for years and take our campaign to the Scottish Parliament, changing the law in the process and stopping the spreading of raw sewage and other noxious waste on farmland in Scotland only to have an incinerator dumped on our doorsteps." A presentation and question and answer session is due to be held at Blairingone Primary School at 7pm on Tuesday, 15 February.