ANGRY villagers in Ryedale are planning to grill firm bosses over plans to build an electricity generator near their homes.

Yorwaste and Natural Power Ltd are hoping to build a generator which will turn natural methane emissions from Caulklands landfill site in Thornton-le-Dale into electricity.

The electricity generated by the station, which will cost £300,000 to build, will start feeding into the national grid next year.

But residents are unhappy about the development which they fear could have an adverse effect on their health and peace.

Yorwaste is holding a public meeting with villagers on Monday and residents hope to have their concerns addressed.

Sue Cowan, who lives near the site, says it will be the first chance she and others have had to have their questions answered.

"I have written to them three times but I've not had any reply," she said.

"It's a disgrace because they have provided us with little or no information about their plans.

"We want to know what is in that landfill site. We have no idea whether it contains asbestos or lead, materials which could seriously damage our health.

"I will be asking them how they intend to transport the electricity into the national grid. We are very concerned that this may involve pylons.

"We are concerned about the noise from the generator. We also want to know why they have not provided us with all this information already."

A planning application submitted to the North York Moors National Park planning authority ground to a halt last month because of residents' concerns.

Yorwaste's contracts manager Tony Sharkey said the meeting will be used to listen to the views of residents.

"We are confident that when they have all the information residents will realise the benefits the station will have," he said.

"It will not only help control landfill gas in an environmentally friendly way, but will also help reduce the amount of fossil fuel being burned to generate power."

Yorwaste is planning to set up a liaison group which will keep residents informed about the plans at all stages.

The public meeting will take place on Monday at 7pm at the Old Grammar School, in Thornton-le-Dale.

Updated: 08:43 Friday, March 08, 2002