The mayor said he expected environmental objections, and perhaps legal challenges, to focus on traffic congestion.

In 1960, the Esso Company completed work on an oil refinery near the town, which opened despite environmental objections.

The landfill issue and environmental objections were also at the heart of the lengthy court battle that preceded its demise in 1985.

These environmental objections were considered to be serious enough to outweigh the economic benefits of allowing the proposal.

Work on the dam began in 1983 but was held up by economic and environmental objections.

However, this will necessitate some 5,000 aerogenerators and strong environmental objections are expected.

' The greater these benefits are the stronger the environmental objections would need to be to deny permission.'

Richard Amper, executive director of the society, said last week that the revisions in the developer's plans satisfied environmental objections.

It says that we should encourage cooperation in the attainment of environmental objections and have particular regard to improving energy efficiency.

Automotive analysts said the choice of Volkswagen as the engine maker was intended to reduce any future environmental objections.