TENS of thousands of tonnes of potentially hazardous materials could be treated at a new industrial complex in Southampton.

A Hampshire waste management firm has handed in plans to build a soil-washing plant in the city's docks.

But concerned residents say the plant would add to noise and pollution issues and say it is too close to neighbouring homes and sports fields.

Otterbourne-based Hazardous Waste Management Ltd (HWM) has chosen the site next to the King George V dry dock for the facility.

The firm has handed in a bid to the Environment Agency (EA) for a permit allowing it to process up to 200,000 tonnes of soil every year.

Waste - sometimes including hazardous materials - will be removed at the plant and the soil washed before being made ready for use in projects such as land reclamation.

In their application HWM say waste would then be taken to a “suitably authorised facility” for disposal.

It is just the latest in a string of contentious proposals for developments in the docks, with developer Helius saying it still intends to go ahead with plans for a huge biomass plant on a site near the proposed soil-washing facility.

Representatives of the community organisation Western Docks Consultation Forum say they have concerns over its proximity to homes and that lorries delivering soil to and from the site will add to congestion issues.

They say they will object to the plans as they are concerned the plant will “add to the existing noise, dust and odour problems experienced by local residents”.

Spokesman Colin Macqueen said: “I have no doubt local residents will have concerns over this application as it will only add to the problems already experienced in Millbrook, Freemantle and Redbridge areas with noise and pollution caused by port activities.”

HWM say the waste is not “likely to produce significant odour emissions”, while people living nearby will be “unlikely to experience an increase in noise leves, as there is an existing high level of background noise due to the adjacent industrial activities”.

The firm says the plant will be maintained to a “high standard of cleanliness”, with any hazardous material stored securely.

If the EA approve the bid for a permit, it is unclear whether separate planning permission would also be needed.

Steven Galton, one of the area's ward councillors, said he would be asking for further information on the site and plans.

He said: “I will be looking at the application to make sure it is right for the area.”

HWM declined to comment when approached by the Daily Echo.