Peel’s Barton biomass plans voted down

PEEL Energy’s application to build a 20MW energy from waste plant on a site close to Barton bridge was unanimously voted down by Trafford Council’s planning committee last night.

The firm had applied to build a biomass plant which would burn up to 200,000 tonnes of waste wood a year, which would have provided power for up to 37,000 local homes.

Council officers had recommended the scheme was approved, stating that there were “no objections to the proposal that are thought to be relevant” and
there was a presumption in favour of development.

However, the plan had attracted a lot of opposition from local campaigner, who cited a plethora of concerns about the plant, citing concerns about health, air quality and the suitability of its location. Petitions with 4,644 signatures had been delivered to the council, as well as 1,592 letters objecting to the scheme.