Fate of jobs at Biffa in Cannock is revealed this week

The future of Biffa's £24 million anaerobic digestion plant in Heath Hayes could be under threat.

Residents in the area are up in arms about foul smells from the site which they say are making their lives a misery. An independent report is due to come out on Friday and revoking Biffa's licence to process waste at the Newlands park estate is among the options on the table.

Experts are considering if the plant can be made more air-tight.

Cannock Chase MP Aidan Burley today announced a public meeting to discuss the findings. It will take place at Hayes Green Community Centre, in Heath Way, Heath Hayes, from 7pm on November 29.

Representatives from Biffa and the Environment Agency are due to attend.

Mr Burley said today: "I am very pleased to have secured this important meeting.

"I am clear this is now the last chance saloon for Biffa. If they do not implement the recommendations of the independent audit immediately, I will be calling on the Environment Agency to revoke the operating licence of the anaerobic digestion site indefinitely until the problems are solved."

It follows a behind-closed-doors meeting between residents, Biffa representatives, Environment Agency officials and Mr Burley in September.

Half a dozen residents attended the meeting at Poplars Landfill Site and were told 250 complaints about the plant had come in.

They claim the problems have persisted for more than a year and were first reported soon after the plant launched in spring 2011.

As part of their work preparing the report the independent panel are checking bolts, seals and doors at the site.

The plant aims to process up to 120,000 tons of food waste every year.