Barton biomass scheme called in

THE Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles, has called in the application by Peel Energy to build an £80m biomass plant in Davyhulme.

A public inquiry into the proposed scheme is set to go ahead in November as planned, and the Planning Inspector will produce a report, but the Secretary of State will make the ultimate decision on whether to allow the scheme to proceed or not.

Peel’s plan to build a 20MW waste-to-energy plant powered by burning wood have attracted controversy in Trafford.

The firm’s initial application was recommended by the council’s officers but  rejected by its planning committee last November on the grounds of the perceived threat to public health – it received thousands of complaints from local residents about the scheme.

Peel Energy subsequently launched a formal appeal against the decision, which caused Trafford’s councillor to unanimously pass a series of motions condemning the company’s decision to carry on the fight.

Davyhulme East Cllr Lisa Cooke said: “I believe that Peel Energy should rethink their plans on the basis of sheer public outcry, in the spirit of working with the local community and not against the people”.

Jon England, Peel Energy project manager, said: “The Secretary of State’s intervention adds an extra layer to the procedure but it doesn’t alter our own position or affect any of the issues involved.

“The BREP proposal was turned down by the planning committee last November against the recommendation of the council’s own planning experts.

“There were no objections to the proposal on grounds of air quality or public health from any of the professional bodies who were consulted by Trafford Council.”