The residents say the planned development in Glenavy would be close to schools and playing fields and on Wednesday night more than 500 residents attended a public meeting to discuss the proposal.

A residents' committee will now send a delegation to meet public representatives and will be requesting meetings with government departments and company responsible, Rose Energy.

The residents also reiterated a call for Rose Energy to publish details of its public consultation process, which they say is as yet unknown.

Committee Chairman, Bobby Grant said: "The meeting is about giving people a voice and a chance to find out what is going on and an opportunity to express their concerns. We do not believe Rose Energy has been forthright in telling residents the full story and it is time that someone provided answers.

"Two similar proposals in the Republic of Ireland have been refused. A dangerous precedent could be set for Northern Ireland if this application is granted – where there is one, there could be many. It is Glenavy today, but tomorrow it could be Claudy, Ballycastle, Comber or Banbridge, perhaps even nuclear."

Lagan Valley MLA Paul Butler, speaking after the meeting held at St Aidan's hall said: "Residents voiced strong opposition to any incinerator plant at Glenavy. I am supporting the residents and will be raising this issue with Arlene Foster and will ask her not to give this plant planning permission."

Rose Energy, the company behind the plans, said they had been in contact with local residents and would "continue to engage in public dialogue in the next number of months".

Speaking after Wednesday night's meeting, Osvaldo Mauro-Hun, Chief Executive of Rose Energy said: "The views and concerns of local residents form an important part of our public consultation process, which we commenced at the beginning of January.

"As part of this process we widely circulated background information on our project to residents, politicians and councillors in the local area and have since met with a number of interested parties to present our proposal and gather feedback.

"We are in the early stages of this process and will continue to engage in public dialogue in the next number of months.

"We understand that local residents in particular have specific concerns about the project and as a priority met with our immediate neighbours last week to hear their views and answer their questions."

Mr Mauro-Hun added that a number of studies on the environmental impact of the plant still had to be completed and that full details would be made available to the public as part of the company's planning application.

"We look forward to meeting with the representatives selected to discuss the issues raised," he concluded.