Image of Shepperton waste centre released by council

The facility would feature a special chamber, which heats waste to produce gas for energy.

An artist's impression of expansion plans at a waste recycling centre has been released by a county council.

Surrey Waste Management is working on behalf of Surrey County Council to develop the "eco park" at Charlton Lane, Shepperton.

The council said it would treat almost a third of Surrey's household rubbish in more environmentally friendly ways.

But local residents fear it will be too close to their homes, and potentially dangerous.

A public consultation is under way into the proposal and a planning decision is due early next year.

The facility would feature a gasification chamber, which heats waste to produce gas for energy.

Dr Lynne Hack, the cabinet member for the environment, said the centre was more environmentally friendly than dumping rubbish in landfill sites or sending it for incineration.