Anger over power plant

More than 100 angry residents are campaigning against plans to build a biomass power station in Bishop’s Castle.Details of the proposed plant were uncovered on Monday by campaigner Rachel Kennedy and concerned residents have already launched a campaign against the scheme. The developer behind the plans has not yet been revealed.

But planning bosses confirmed they have held informal talks about the possibility of a biomass plant for the town.

Last night, people from Bishop’s Castle met members of the Kemp Valley Group, including Mrs Kennedy, during a public meeting at the Sparc centre.

They heard how the Kemp Valley Group won its fight against a similar power station that was planned for Brockton, near Lydbury North. The scheme was shelved this week in the face of huge public opposition.

At yesterday’s meeting, residents vowed to launch petitions against the scheme and seek additional information about the impact the plant would have.

Today Jim Collin, spokesman for the Kemp Valley Group, said people were extremely concerned about the plans.

He said: “One of the main worries is that people simply haven’t got time to protest properly or find out information. There is a chronic lack of information and people don’t know what is going on. We need more information.”

Jake Berriman, South Shropshire District Council planning boss, said he had been in informal talks with a number of developers about the possibility of a biomass plant for Bishop’s Castle.

Details of the talks were confidential but people would be made aware of the plans in due course, he said.

Meanwhile, dozens of campaigners from Tenbury Wells met last night to put together an action plan to fight plans for another biomass plant.

The Tenbury Wells plant is being developed by CJ Day Associates, of Oxfordshire. No-one from the firm was available to comment today.

Chairman of the Tenbury action group, Phil Wakeman, said: “We will organise a public meeting and have an information stand at the car boot sale on Easter Monday in Tenbury Wells.”

Both plants would generate electricity through the burning of wood and other clean materials.

By Andy Richardson