WASTE company Viridor has turned down an invitation to a public meeting called to discuss its plans to build a waste incinerator near Ivybridge.

The company was challenged to face the Ivybridge and Lee Mill public to defend its proposal for an energy from waste (EfW) plant at New England Quarry, south of Lee Mill, at a meeting on Saturday, November 21.

Viridor is one of three companies bidding to build a £100million plant to handle waste from Plymouth, South Devon and Torbay. New England Quarry is one of four sites proposed; the others are at Ernesettle, and North and South Yards at Devonport.

Luke Pollard, Labour's parliamentary candidate for South West Devon, said: "We have invited Viridor to attend and listen to people's concerns.

"The company are happy holding the occasional exhibition about their plans but the true test will be whether they will turn up and listen to local people.

"If they don't turn up there will be an empty chair on the panel. That will speak volumes for how the company regards the opinions of people in Lee Mill and Ivybridge."

Howard Ellard, technical development manager at Viridor, said: "We won't be going because they chose a Saturday when we have no one available.

"We have absolutely nothing to hide and we're more than happy to talk to them. But if they are going to choose a weekend to hold a meeting it would be best to talk to us first."

The panel for the meeting includes Cllr Roger Croad, the Ivybridge councillor leading the search for a location for the new incinerator, Mr Pollard, and Frankie Dolan, an Ivybridge resident.

"An extra 120 lorries on the A38 every day delivering rubbish to an incinerator that will operate 24 hours a day is an alarming prospect," Mr Pollard said. "We need a proper public debate about the incinerator."

Mr Dolan, who founded the ecoivy.org incinerator awareness website said: "This meeting could be the last chance that Ivybridge residents have to voice their opinion before Viridor submits its application for planning permission."

THE public meeting is at 2pm on Saturday, November 21, in the Community Room at Chapel Place, off Fore Street in Ivybridge.

A waste roadshow will be at Ashtorre Rock, Old Ferry Road, Saltash today 5-8pm.

November 13, 4-8pm, The Watermark, Leonards Road, Ivybridge.

November 14, 10am-2pm, Plymouth Guildhall.