PEOPLE in Devizes who have concerns about plans by Lafarge Cement works in Westbury to burn waste chemicals can meet with officials from the Environment Agency.

The agency is holding a discussion surgery in the Corn Exchange on August 18 from 1pm to 9.30pm.

People in Devizes have expressed concerns about emissions from the cement works.

Lafarge burns tyres but it now wants to trial the use of burning Recycled Liquid Fuel (RLF) to heat cement kilns at its Westbury plant.

Colin Babb of the Environment Agency said the surgery in Devizes, along with others in Wiltshire, would provide people with the opportunity to give their views.

Mr Babb said: "We are very keen to hear the views of the public of this application. We look forward to positive discussion at the public surgeries we are holding."

Mr Babb said it would be helpful if people could book a surgery slot in advance by calling (01278) 484551, although they can just go along.

Devizes resident Ted Hatala and Roundway resident Geoff Brewer both think a public inquiry should be held to determine Lafarge's plans.

Mr Hatala, of The Fairway, said: "I am very concerned that the health aspects of tyre burning and RLF have not been investigated in a great deal of depth.

"As Devizes is at roughly the same level as the chimney stack, it is also in the prevailing wind direction and is only seven to eight miles away, I am very concerned that no monitoring of the toxic pollutants is going on in the town.

"We need trusted accurate data as to the level of pollutants, especially in Devizes, as it is in the path of the prevailing wind. I trust you will do this before and after any trial."

Geoff Brewer, of Downlands Road, a Roundway parish councillor and Kennet district councillor, said: "My primary concerns with this consultation rest with the current output to the atmosphere from the kilns at the factory.

"Devizes is the first escarpment that will be hit by any fallout brought by the prevailing winds from Westbury. Naturally a growing number of people here are concerned about the perceived lack of monitoring here specifically monitoring of a type that would highlight any health impact from the Westbury stack."

Mr Brewer added: "Considerable doubt persists about the chemical composition of RLF, which is mainly comprised of solvent waste. This brings added worries about transportation, blending and storage safety of the mix.

"RLF is officially classified as a hazardous waste. Therefore it stands that this plant will be serving as a hazardous chemical waste incinerator."

Copies of Lafarge's plans and other associated documents are available for viewing at Westbury Library, West Wiltshire District Council, Trowbridge, or the agency's office in Bridgwater. They are also on the agency's website at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/consultations.

Other discussion surgeries are being held on August 6 at Bratton Village Hall and August 14 at Matravers School, Westbury.