The centre at Madley would be capable of recycling around 80% of the county's household waste.

Last year a bid to develop a waste incinerator in neighbouring Worcestershire failed.

Waste managers faced a problem of how to deal with the estimated 300,000 tonnes of rubbish produced in the two counties each year.

Now Estech Europe Ltd, based in Aldridge, West Midlands, wants to develop a hi-tech waste treatment plant on the Stoney Street Industrial Estate.

It could treat around 100,000 tonnes a year, which would include all of Herefordshire's kerbside collections and some from Worcestershire as well.

The company has applied for planning permission to build the site and council environmental officers and the waste collection contractor Severn Waste have backed the plans.

It will also have to secure a contract to take on recycling in the county.

A planning decision is expected early next year.