A GREEN energy company planning to build a £250m biomass-fuelled power station in Northumberland claims it will be a positive asset.
RES says the results of independent studies into the proposed 100-megawatt generating plant near Blyth show that its benefits will far outweigh any negative impacts.
The company – which has now made the findings of the studies available to local people – says they have concluded that the power station will have no significant impacts on traffic, air quality or wildlife.
RES will shortly submit a planning application to build the plant at Battleship Wharf on the River Blyth, between the villages of Cambois and North Blyth.
The independent studies follow fears expressed by some local people earlier this year that their quality of life will be damaged by the presence of the plant, because of its size, proximity to houses, emissions, dust, noise and extra traffic.
RES says it will provide enough renewable electricity for 170,000 homes a year, will create between 200 and 300 construction jobs, and between 40 and 50 permanent posts.
The plant will include a group of fuel storage buildings up to 25 metres tall and a 60/70m-tall boiler house with a chimney up to 100m tall.
The results of the independent site studies into its likely impacts are contained in a draft environmental statement. While concluding that the plant will not cause major problems for traffic, air quality or wildlife, it concedes that the main buildings will significantly alter views from some parts of North Blyth.
Yesterday Paul Crossland, who lives with his wife Carol in North Blyth and is part of the local community association, said: “We are still opposed to this development and the campaign is gaining momentum. We plan to hold a public meeting towards the end of November and hope that as many people from Blyth, Bedlington and the local area will turn up to find out more about the power station.”
Cambois Community Association chairman Les Paton said: “I am quite happy with the proposal because it seems as if it’s going to be clean, noiseless and create jobs. However, if the people at North Blyth are opposed to it we will support them in making their views known.”
RES manager for the Blyth biomass project Chris Lawson said: “The draft environmental statement contains the results of studies undertaken on our behalf by independent experts specialising in subjects such as ecology, hydrology and acoustics. It is still in draft form and subject to final approval, but we wanted to share the results with local people as soon as possible, because it provides answers to the questions raised by the local community during the consultation.”
The document is being sent to organisations such as Natural England and the Environment Agency before it is finalised and submitted to the Infrastructure Planning Commission, along with the planning application, this winter.
Copies, along with a non-technical summary, can be inspected at Blyth Library, Cambois Welfare, East Bedlington Parish Council offices in Station St, Bedlington Station and at County Hall in Morpeth until December 12.
