Waste firm Cory Wheelabrator yesterday insisted it has gone above and beyond in its bid to reassure the public that its controversial incinerator technology was safe, as it produced its detailed plans for the scheme.

The company has now submitted a detailed planning application to Norfolk County Council to build the energy from waste plant at the Saddlebow industrial estate on the outskirts of King's Lynn.

This will treat 170,000 tonnes of rubbish a year which cannot be recycled, in a process also aimed at producing electricity.

The application can be viewed on the county council's website from tomorrow.

Richard Wilkinson, planning manager for Cory, said the application was detailed and comprehensive while the firm had also commissioned consultants to analyse the plans, stating that the operation of the facility would not breach European health and environmental regulations and there would be no 'significant effects' caused by emissions.

But critics remain sceptical about the technology amid fears it poses health risks to people in the area.

On Friday anti-incinerator campaigners will be holding a public meeting in King's Lynn, which includes an update on the ongoing legal challenge against the plans and advice on how people can put forward their planning objections.

'We have been listening to local concerns,' said Mr Wilkinson. 'The technical work we have done ensures we can answer those concerns.

'There are assessments by experts which show there will be no significant effect in terms of emissions and on health. We have gone beyond what we were required to do and we have done extra work to address and allay those concerns.

'Norfolk has landfill problems and energy from waste is the best alternative to that,' he added.

'The technology is proven safe and effective. We will be contributing 40 jobs in the terms of full-time equivalent posts and up to 300 jobs during the construction phase.

'It's a significant inward investment for King's Lynn. There are very significant wider benefits for the residents and people of Norfolk.'

The move comes as Norfolk County Council begins its formal planning consultation into the proposals.

This has been doubled to six weeks in response to a request by environment secretary Caroline Spelman to show its waste management strategy has a broad consensus of support.

shaun.lowthorpe@archant.co.uk