Huntington waste plant plans approved for former colliery
Plans for a waste plant on the site of a former Staffordshire colliery have been approved by the county council.
The £20m plant is planned on the site of Littleton colliery, in Huntington, near Cannock.
The plant turn green waste into fertiliser and will also generate electricity.
As the site is in the green belt, the decision will now be referred to the secretary of state, Staffordshire County Council said.
Councillor Ian Lawson said: "The planning committee listened carefully to the views of local residents, and representatives from the parish council before granting planning approval for the facility."
An application for the facility had also been approved in 2012, the council said.
Two petitions opposing the plans, containing almost 850 signatures, were sent to the county council.
South Staffordshire Conservative MP Gavin Williamson also wrote to the council raising objections.
According to the application by H E Humphries Ltd the plant will process 45,000 tonnes of organic and food waste a year and generate enough energy to power 2,500 homes.