Meeting failed to clear concerns

I am writing further to the public consultation meeting in Bishop's Castle on October 23. I attended this meeting in the hope of learning some concrete facts from CJ Day Associates regarding their proposal to build a biomass power plant.

However, there were no new facts presented, just a repetition of the glossy sales information that has been available to those prepared to search for it.

The developers were no clearer about the ever-changing fuel stream for this proposed plant, yet we were told that the planning controls are to be based on agreements between the developers and the planning department.

I am at a loss as to how controls can be agreed on uncertain and variable fuel streams. A lack of experience in such developments should not be made reasonable cause for relying on the salesmen of this proposal for information.

There are independent consultants with knowledge of this type of plant and the effect on performance and emissions of differing fuel streams. Use of such a consultant would provide reliable and unbiased facts on which to base controls.

We were also told a full 13 weeks would be allowed for consultation. Then we were told the proposal (for which a planning application had not yet been received) would be judged at South Shropshire District Council's planning meeting on January 9 and all representations should be made by December 9. This is less than six weeks even if the application had been received.

S J Collin, Lydbury North