Plans for a controversial £200m rubbish-burning incinerator next to the M1 have finally been submitted.

Waste management firm Biffa spent the summer consulting residents on plans to build the waste-burning complex at Newhurst Quarry, in Shepshed.

It has now lodged a formal planning application with Leicestershire County Council.

The company says it has listened to concerns and adapted its scheme accordingly, but many residents are still opposed to the idea and say they will step up efforts to block it.

Biffa project manager Mary Tappenden said they had taken into account discussions on issues such as the flue stacks, size, colour and design of the buildings, traffic and the eventual use of the old quarry void.

She said access into the site on the A512 will be improved, and traffic lights installed giving priority to vehicles on the main road. She added: "There will be an exclusion zone in Shepshed for heavy goods vehicles."

Shepshed town councillor Roy Kershaw said: "People do not want it on environmental and health grounds. We do not want it here, close to a major population centre with 15,000 people."

Biffa hopes to win an £86m county council contract to dispose of Leicestershire's rubbish between 2015 and 2040.

The incinerator would burn 300,000 tonnes of household and industrial waste each year and generate enough electricity to power 42,000 homes. It says the plant will comply with the European Waste Incineration Directive and be regulated by the Environment Agency.

Biffa spokesman John Dresser said: "The system reduces waste that would go to landfill by up to 95% as well as making a significant contribution towards the country's growing energy needs.

Some 200 to 300 jobs are expected to be created during the construction, which will take three years and then there will be a full time operational staff of 40."

The firm has permission to use the old quarry for landfill, but could turn it into a water facility if the incinerator is approved.

Charnwood borough councillor Max Hunt, who represents neighbouring Loughborough Garendon ward, said: "Such a site should never be contemplated adjacent to a major residential area.

"It's far bigger than we need in Leicestershire, and out-of-date because there are many much more efficient and less risky techniques available which are kinder to the environment.

"Incinerators need a constant supply of waste to work, at the same time as we are asking residents to reduce and recycle. We don't need this monster."

He has arranged a public meeting about it at Loughborough's Gorse Covert Community Centre, on January 19, at 7pm.

Rivals to Biffa's bid are Veolia and United Utilities/John Laing Investments. Both decline to say what they are planning.

A County Hall spokeswoman said: "We expect detailed proposals in January and will consider them over the coming months."