THE firm behind a bid to build an incinerator just a few miles from Whitchurch has confirmed it will hold a public consultation in the town regarding its plans.

Wheelabrator is yet to hold such an event, having previously only staged consultations in Barton Stacey and Longparish, close to where the proposed waste-to-energy facility will be located, on vacant land owned by Raymond Brown to the north of the A303.

The lack of an event was met with disappointment, from residents and members of Whitchurch Town Council.

But after a meeting between Wheelbrator and North West Hampshire MP, Kit Malthouse, it has been confirmed a public event will take place.

Former Whitchurch mayor John Buckley published an email from Mr Malthouse regarding the meeting with Wheelabrator. on whitchurch.org this week.

Mr Malthouse said: “I specifically requested that they hold an engagement event in Whitchurch. They have agreed to do this and when we get the date and the time I will let you know.”

A Wheelabrator spokesperson said: “We met Mr Malthouse earlier this year to introduce him to our proposals for Wheelabrator Harewood.

“We confirmed we intend to hold a public consultation event in Whitchurch as part of our next stage of consultation, which will take place towards the end of this year.”

Whitchurch Town Council has been among those to voice concerns over the incinerator plans.

Cllr Buckley was council chairman and mayor when the authority agreed a formal response to the proposal, highlighting a disappointment at the lack of a public consultation in Whitchurch, plus potential impact on pollution, traffic and tourism.

Other groups in the Test Valley area have lodged concerns about the plan.