RESIDENTS living near a proposed incinerator site at Lee Mill turned out in force as plans went on display in Ivybridge.

Earlier this week, Ernesettle residents got the first view of the roadshow, which features the four remaining bids to handle domestic rubbish from Plymouth, Torbay and South Devon.

The South West Devon Waste Partnership has narrowed its options for the £100million project from nine initial expressions of interest.

One of those at last night's meeting was Neil Tugwell, from the Save Our South Hams (SOS) protest group, which has started a petition opposing the plans.

Mr Tugwell, who lives next to the proposed site at Lee Mill, said the River Yealm would come under threat, with ancient woodland being cut down and more than 150 lorries a day added to the A38.

"I think it's the wrong technology in the wrong place," he said. "We're concerned about the transparency of the process – this whole thing should be called in and put through an independent planning inspector."

Local councillor Ian Walsh added: "We're not happy that we haven't been properly informed of the proposal – it's only been dribbling out this week."

But Devon County Council's waste manager, Ben Jenning told The Herald: "What we're doing is we're following Government directives to reduce the amount of waste we send to landfill."

Mr Jenning said around 35 per cent of waste currently had to be treated before it went to landfill. An incinerator would mean a 40 per cent reduction in carbon emissions from waste management, and would produce electricity, he said.

"What we're here for is to listen to what local people say," he added. "We don't want to impose anything on people."

The roadshow was to visit the Plymouth Guildhall today from 10am to 2pm.