Campaigners against the proposed biomass power plant in Bishop’s Castle have won their demands for a public inquiry following a meeting with district councillors.

Residents had the chance to air their views at South Shropshire District Council’s development control committee meeting yesterday.

Karen Bavastock, chairman of the Bishop’s Castle Group, which is against plans for the “green” woodchip-burning power plant, said she was “really happy” with the decision for a public inquiry, probably next spring.

The meeting came after the full council failed to reach a decision on the plans within the statutory time period allowed. 

The applicants, Bishop’s Castle Biomass Power Ltd, had appealed against the council’s non-determination and objectors requested it go to a planning inquiry.

Miss Bavastock said: “We’re really happy that at least we’ll get a public inquiry. It’s what we’ve wanted and we feel it’s really important to get a chance to get to the bottom of this application and get the answers we need.”

She added: “I believe the proposed date for the public inquiry is March 3 next year. Our next step now is to get our statements in as part of the process. 

“The statements need to be in by the end of this year and the evidence and everything else will then go to public inquiry. I would urge people to put their views forward. We also need to start doing some fundraising as a public inquiry costs quite a lot of money.”

Jake Berriman, head of planning at the district council, said an independent planning inspector would decide the issue.