A highly controversial plan to build a wood-burning incinerator on greenbelt land has been put on hold after an objection from the National Grid.

Campaigners against the plans in Redhill Road, Cobham, contacted the energy giant to make them aware of the plans.

The group No Elmbridge Waste Incinerator was shocked National Grid had not been consulted or made aware of the application.

The subsequent holding objection sent to the council by the company has resulted in the application being put on hold.

A Surrey County Council spokesman said: “Following the receipt of a letter from the National Grid about the application, we have asked the applicant to provide more information, and we cannot progress the matter further until we receive it.

“For that reason there may be some delay, but it is not correct that the application has been withdrawn, and it is only on hold while we wait for the answers to our questions.”

The basis of the National Grid objection was the power lines that run overhead the site between pylons.

Its letter to the council said: “Statutory electrical safety clearances must be maintained at all times.

“National Grid recommends that no permanent structures are built directly beneath our overhead lines.”

Jeff Hilliard, one of the directors at nearby Silvermere Golf Club, who has been involved with the campaign No Elmbridge Waste Incinerator, said the dangers were obvious.

He said: “If a power cable came down, it would be disastrous. With the heat of the incinerator and the amount of wood on site, a huge fire is very possible.

“The fact National Grid weren’t notified shows we should be worried about the quality of this application.

“We can’t let this sneak through. I don’t feel any less pressure after this holding objection.

“It does not mean it has been beaten, we’ve got to keep fighting.”

Visit noelmbridgewasteincinerator.co.uk to sign the petition.