Noise of biomass plant a shock

LETTER - I visited the site of the Eccleshall biomass power plant on March 30, as I understand the Bishop's Castle plant is to be similar.

Standing outside the fence I was not only horrified at the size of the plant, but the noise coming from it. There was also a light grey smoke coming from the chimney.

The plant is not working at full capacity at present and, should planning permission be given for the Bishop's Castle plant, which is to be air cooled, it will mean even more noise.

I also noted that the door was open and I managed to question someone nearby. He said they had been told it was open because of the heat.

He also said the plant had not worked at full capacity above twice since its opening, to his knowledge, and thought it was something to do with the heat control, but remarked it was very difficult to obtain information.

An ordinary industry which closes for the night and at weekends would not be a problem, but in the quiet of the night and at weekends, this is definitely going to disturb people.

Broken sleep can cause illnesses, so with the threat of a constant noise approximately 200 yards away in Bishop's Castle, this is a serious concern.

I would also like to add that Eccleshall still has problems, therefore would it not be wiser for the consortium not to build another plant until they have ironed out these problems.

Also the area in Bishop's Castle is clearly signed as a Business Park. Businesses or light industry would be welcome to bring work, but not a huge incinerator.

Gill Lawler, Bishop's Castle