A series of exhibitions are about to open giving people the chance to see plans for a proposed multi-million pound waste-fired energy plant on Severnside.

Sita UK has drawn up a scheme for a so-called waste-to-energy facility on a 20-acre site next to the Seabank power station between Avonmouth and Severn Beach. The recycling and waste company Sita UK wants to build what it calls a waste-to-energy facility on the brownfield site on Severn Road. If planners give approval for the plant, it could create electricity by burning up to 400,000 tonnes of commercial and industrial waste a year.

It would generate enough power for 50,000 homes, using material that would otherwise go into landfill sites.

But people living nearby have said they are worried about the impact the development would have on roads if Sita was unable to reopen an old railway line into the site.

The company hopes that by transporting waste by rail, it will reduce the number of lorries needed.

Although the land is a former ICI fuel store, there is also concern about wildlife that now occupies the site.

Sita already operates plants in other parts of the country and wants to bring the technology to the South West for the first time.

It said the plant would take three years to build, providing work for 200 construction staff, and would eventually provide up to 60 full-time jobs.

Ahead of a formal application being submitted, the exhibitions have been arranged so questions can be asked about the proposal.

The first takes place in Easter Compton village hall, Main Road, on Tuesday from 4.30pm to 8.30pm.

Four others will be held between the same hours in Trinity Hall, Pilning, on Wednesday; in Avonmouth Community Centre on Thursday; Severn Beach Village Hall on Friday and in Hallen Village Hall and Recreation Centre on Monday, July 13. There will also be an exhibition in Almondsbury Church Hall on Saturday, July 11, from 10.30am to 2pm.