Peel likely to gain permit for £70m Barton biomass plant

PEEL Group looks set to gain a permit from the Environment Agency for its proposed biomass plant in Barton.

The Agency said yesterday that it was “minded to give approval” to Peel Energy for a permit to run its proposed £70m energy-from-waste plant at Barton, which would be powered by burning waste wood.

However, it added that there was still time for local people to submit comments or information before its public consultation on the scheme closes on July 11.

Gordon Whitaker, environment manager for Greater Manchester, said: “We have carried out a thorough assessment of the application. We have consulted widely receiving comments from other organisations, including Trafford and Salford Councils, Trafford and Salford Primary Care Trusts and the Food Standards Agency. Following this assessment and comments from health experts, we are confident the facility will not harm the environment or human health.

“Although we have reached the stage where we are considering issuing a permit, our decision is not final and this last stage of consultation will give everybody the chance to see what the permit may look like and to raise any additional concerns before we make a final decision.”

An information session on the proposed plant is being held at the Powerleague Trafford Soccer Dome on June 12.

Gaining a permit is one of two hurdles which Peel Energy needs to clear to open the 20MW plant, which it has said could generate enough energy to power 37,000 homes.

The other is gaining planning approval for the site. Peel Energy’s application to build the plant was rejected by Trafford Council in November, but earlier this month the firm has said that it had launched an appeal to the planning inspector, triggering a public inquiry which is likely to deliver its verdict later this year.

Peel Energy’s project manager Jon England said: “We are encouraged by the draft recommendation and the Environment Agency’s confidence that the facility will not harm the environment or human health.”

“We await the end of this last consultation and look forward to the Environment Agency’s final decision on the Barton Renewable Energy Plant operating permit.”

The scheme has faced strong local opposition. Prior to refusing permission for the plant last November, Trafford Council’s planning committee received more than 1,592 letters and a petition with 4,644 signatories opposing it.

A spokesman for the Breathe Clean Air Group opposed to the scheme said it had “identified and raised with the Environment Agency several loopholes in the legislation which leave the public open to exposure and health risks from these less than stringent measures”.

“We remain defiant that our local community will not be subjected to these blatant risks.  The only way that we can see to avoid the risks is to stop the incinerator,” he added.