As a result, the decision to sell the land will now be debated by the full council, not just the cabinet.

A plea by Shropshire campaigners fighting plans for a £5m biomass burner to have a key debate on the project delayed has been turned down.

The issue is up for discussion at a Shropshire Council meeting on December 9, but the Bishop’s Castle Group asked for a delay after it emerged Councillor Peter Philips, who represents Bishop’s Castle, will miss the December meeting due to a hospital appointment.

But Shropshire Council has said the debate must be held at next week’s meeting.

The Bishop’s Castle Group collected a petition of more than 1,000 signatures protesting against the council cabinet’s decision to sell land at Bishop’s Castle Business Park for the biomass plant.

As a result, the decision to sell the land will now be debated by the full council, not just the cabinet.

Richard Thomas, democratic services manager at Shropshire Council, said: “Once presented, a petition must be considered as soon as possible and we are therefore obliged to take it to the next council meeting – in this case December 9.

Councillor Peter Phillips said: “The Bishop’s Castle Group have asked me to represent them as their local councillor. The reason I can’t is because I’m due to have a biopsy.

“We do from time to time consider postponing items on the agenda as late as the day of the meeting so I’m disappointed. I’m quite surprised really.”

Neil Hird, from the Bishop’s Castle Group, said: “It’s most unfortunate, Councillor Phillips is our elected representative, he is well aware of the strong opposition to it and it’s a great pity but he has his hospital appointment and of course he has to keep it.

“I am surprised Shropshire Council hasn’t agreed to postpone it for one month to give our chap a chance. We are writing to all 74 councillors to explain why there is strong opposition to it.”

The Bishop’s Castle Group has been fighting the plans for three years.

Planning permission for a biomass plant on Bishop’s Castle Business Park was granted by a planning inspector in 2009 following a public inquiry.

The decision to sell land  was called in to Shropshire Council’s scrutiny committee. ­They recommended it should be go back to cabinet, but the cabinet upheld its original decision.

By Hannah Costigan