Concerns over the risks to livestock and crops from a proposed £60 million incinerator in Shrewsbury have been raised at a public exhibition as residents caught their first glimpse of what the burner will look like.

David Jagger, who runs a farm and heritage centre with his family close to where the incinerator would be built if plans are approved, said he had grave fears over his site which he believed could be damaged by harmful emissions.

Residents also said they were worried about how Veolia’s plans for an energy from waste burner at Battlefield would affect future generations.

But some people at the exhibition at the Battlefield Recycling Centre yesterday said they were behind the plans, adding that something needed to be done to tackle the amount of waste from the county going to landfill.

Mr Jagger, 60, said he was worried about the safety of his 650 sheep and 200 cattle.

“We are very concerned about the emissions and long term effect on our farm resulting from these emissions which they are pretty vague about,” he said.

“The biggest concern is the long term effect on our farm land and livestock, people living over here and my young grandson.”

Dorothy Dodds, 75, a parish councillor in Astley, near Shrewsbury, said she was not totally against moves for an incinerator but believed the current proposal was too close to a residential area.

She said: “We can’t keep putting it in the ground can we? But I am not sure this is the right place for it. I’m not worried for myself as I am too old but my fear is for future generations, our grandchildren and great-grandchildren are the ones who are going to suffer if anybody does.”

But Graham Holt, 51, of Craven Arms, said he was not unduly worried about the health risks and just wanted to find out more about it.

Husband and wife Bob and Sue Udy of Clive, near Shrewsbury, said they were probably in favour of the incinerator but also wanted to quiz Veolia managers about some issues.

John Collis, specialist for Veolia, said that he understood people’s concerns but said many fears over health risks were unfounded.

He said the firm had been “inundated” with people coming to see the plans during the exhibition.

The plans can be seen again today from 3pm to 7pm and tomorrow between 9.30am and 1pm at The Lantern, Meadow Farm Drive.