Public hearings to discuss a proposed large incinerator project have been put back to November at the earliest, it has emerged.

A number of public events were due to take place in September to discuss plans for a controversial Energy Recovery Facility (ERF), to include an incinerator, to be sited on a former quarry site in Buttington.

However due to the planning inspectorate requiring further information from the applicant, the application has now been suspended until October 18, meaning the public meetings will take place later than planned.

As a Development of National Significance the application will be dealt with by government planning inspectors rather than Powys County Council.

"The scheduled hearings that were due to take place in September have been cancelled as the application is currently in suspension to allow further information to be submitted by the Applicant," said a spokesperson for the planning inspectorate.

"In light of this, the application has been suspended until 18/10/2021 and the revised dates for hearings are likely to be late November/ early December, we will know specific dates nearer the time."

The scheme is set to generate around 13MW of electricity through treatment of 150,000 tonnes a year of residential, commercial and industrial wastes, however the scheme has encountered strong local opposition with residents fearing negative effects on air quality and tourism in the area.

Applicants Broad Energy have said the facility would take up to three years to build, create 300 construction jobs and provide work for 30 permanent jobs once operational.

Broad Energy has previously said the scheme would act as a "catalyst for the wider aspiration for the development site to create an eco-business park".

"The vision of the development is to provide a sustainable use for a former quarry area by delivering a bespoke facility to waste management and the generation of low carbon energy," said a spokesperson.

"The Welsh Government has set the target to become a zero-waste nation by 2050. The ERF represents a major step in helping Wales achieve this ambition."