The investigation into Tamar Energy’s waste plant in Halstead is affecting the company’s plans for other plants.

Tamar is considering building a similar plant in Ramsbottom, Lancashire.

However after the Gazette revealed the plant on the Bluebridge Industrial Estate, in Halstead, is being investigated by the Environment Agency, concerns are being voiced about this new plant by residents in the town.

Since September 2014 the government department has received 323 complaints about odour and noise against the plant.

Ramsbottom councillor Ian Bevan told the Gazette’s sister paper, the Lancashire Telegraph: “It has become clear that there is something seriously wrong with the anaerobic digestion industry in this country in that every anaerobic digestion plant built and operated results in complaints by nearby residents of foul smells, odour and noise pollution.

“We simply cannot allow that to happen here in Ramsbottom.

“All of our concerns regarding Ramsbottom are being played out in Halstead.

“That is why I truly hope now that the Secretary of State now upholds the decision of the planning committee on Bury Council to refuse permission on the basis that the development was inappropriate in the Green Belt and would expose residents to pollution from odour and noise.”

Jon Andrews, the Halstead site’s plant manager, said: “We’re working closely with the Environment Agency and putting additional levels of monitoring and a series of other improvements in place.”