What will be used to power biomass?

LETTER -The issue of bio-fuels, crops grown to convert to bio-diesel or electricity, seems to be perpetually in the news.

With energy prices rising at record rates, the concept of being able to grow our own energy source has an instant appeal.

However, when one comes to examine the consequences of these policies we are confronted with some stark choices.

Which brings us to the issue of the proposed biomass incinerator in Bishop's Castle, the planning decision on which will take place on May 20.

It has been said that because wood is used by some people locally for domestic heating that this should make the proposal acceptable. This is quite misleading.

The proposed plant would burn 20,000 tons of woodchip each year. This has to be sourced from within a 25-mile radius of the plant.

Add to this the proposed biomass plant at Tenbury Wells and the plant at Eccleshall, which are required to operate under similar conditions - you will see a considerable overlap of the areas of supply.

Recognising the almost certain inadequate supply of the designated fuel and the likelihood that farmers would be unwilling to enter into contracts to grow agri-fuel with prices soaring, I have to ask what would be sought as an alternative fuel source by the developers then?

Is this to be waste incineration by the back door?

The introduction of conditions by the planning department, which in the last analysis would be unenforcable, would, I believe, be unable to prevent this.

Harry Round, Bishop's Castle