 A SINGLE mum says she will leave the village she has lived in all her life to protect her children if an incinerator is built near her home. Outline proposals to put a waste treatment plant at the former Foden's truck-testing track, off Moss Lane, Elworth, Sandbach, have angered Jessica Smith. The businesswoman, who has lived in the village all her life, is furious Cheshire County Council has earmarked the site in a bid to stop escalating mountains of waste reaching crisis point. Ms Smith, 36, who lives in Lawrence Close and has two sons, Luke, five, and Philip, 19, said: 'The plans, which could mean an incinerator being built 200 yards from my home, are absolutely frightening. 'I will consider moving because no risk is acceptable for my children. There is a massive weight of evidence to show that incinerators are damaging to the health of people living within five miles of them. 'In addition, there is the fact that house prices will fall in our area. 'I object to being forced to consider moving out of the area that has been my home for so many years.' She was shocked to learn of the scheme from an article in the Chronicle last week. Ms Smith added: 'I felt so strongly about it. My parents also live here. I think we would be mad as a community to be a walked over on this one. 'I've spoken to many people in Sandbach who feel the same. With around 7,000 homes and lots of schools and businesses, I can't imagine anyone will be happy about living and working here.' The 3.3 hectare former test track is one of 23 sites identified in the county in outline plans. It has been earmarked as a possible site for a thermal treatment plant or a scrap yard. Pym's Lane and Clayhanger Farm in Crewe are also on the list. Dorothy Poole, of Moss Lane, is also against it. She said: 'It is a frightful plan because I think it will be a real health hazard. There would also be an increase in traffic.' Strict Government guidelines have been set out to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill. If they are not met, Cheshire County Council could face a harsh penalty. Its executive committee agreed on Thursday that the initial draft of the Replacement Waste Local Plan be put before the full council on April 22. Principal planning officer Adrian Lea said the health risks had been massively exaggerated. He said: 'Studies show that dioxins released by these plants have plummeted by about 97% over the years and garden bonfires and fireworks are far more harmful.' Six weeks of public consultation will start in May. | 
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