VILLAGERS facing the prospect of a power station being built near their homes have unanimously voted to reject the plans.

Clean Power Properties and Network Rail want to build an energy-from-waste burner with four chimneys up to 100-feet high at railway sidings in Micheldever.

But around 60 people who attended an annual parish assembly at Micheldever Station voted against the proposals.

The advanced conversion technology incinerator would process household, commercial and industrial rubbish, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The scheme also includes an anaerobic digester for green garden and food waste. Up to 210,000 tons of waste per year would be taken to the site, which is enough to produce 7.6 megawatts of electricity.

The firms behind the scheme say benefits would include diverting more waste from landfill, generating renewable energy and creating up to 30 full-time jobs.

But the nearest homes are just 80 metres from the site, and the railway sidings are also listed as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation, and are next to Micheldever Spoil Heaps Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Micheldever parish councillor John Botham said: “There was a real strength of feeling at the meeting – every single person was against it. People are incredibly anxious even though it has not yet got to the planning application stage.

“It is just a totally and utterly inappropriate place to put this waste facility. It is far too close to people’s homes, the chimneys would impose on the skyline and there would be noise and disturbance for local residents and wildlife from all the lorries.”

It has been pointed out that the county council has spare capacity at its own energy-from-waste burners. Villagers backed a motion calling on the county planning officers to oppose the scheme in any discussions with developers. The parish council is also seeking an urgent public meeting with county officers to discuss local concerns.

The scoping report, which revealed the details of the scheme, is the first stage of a planning application. Detailed environmental impact studies will have to be carried out next.

If Hampshire County Council gives planning consent, the aim is to open the plant by 2015.