Controversial plans for a £60 million incinerator in Shrewsbury could be called-in by government officials before they are considered by the new Shropshire Council.

At the final meeting of Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council last night members agreed in favour of a motion to ask council manager Geraint Morgan to write to the Government Office of the West Midlands.

The request, proposed by council leader Peter Nutting, said the matter should be called-in by the body because applicants Veolia were under a contract with Shropshire Council, which is the planning authority which he claimed was a “clear conflict of interest”.

Speaking at last night’s meeting, he said: “Because of the nature of this application I think it should be called in and taken out of the hands of the local authority. I think it would be the most appropriate action.”

Councillor Nutting’s motion also claimed it should be called in because the proposed burner would be a large building next to the historic Battlefield site and could cause unnecessary surplus when taking plans for a similar incinerator in Telford into account.

Councillor Miles Kenny called for councillors to speak out against the plans because of the alleged health risks it would pose.

But an amendment he put forward to the motion was defeated after members raised fears they could rule themselves out of the decision making process when the matter is considered by a planning committee.