Biomass concerns still not addressed

Letter: As a director of a local business likely to be affected by the proposed biomass plant in Bishop's Castle, I, in common with a large number of others still have concerns which so far have not been addressed.

My husband and I founded our training centre in Lydbury North 24 years ago this year. Our clients, who come from abroad, stay here for a minimum of one week and contribute significantly to the local economy.

The proposed plant, sited on what is now functionally a business park as opposed to an industrial estate, would be an unquestionable blot on the landscape.

But in view of the fact that global warming etc, we have to stick to hard cold facts and keep emotions at bay, so answers are needed to some key questions:

1. What green interests and credentials have been demonstrated by the would-be developers/investors?

2. What would be the maximum number of jobs provided by the plant and to what degree would that compensate, in terms of local income, for loss incurred by the local tourist industry?

3. What in percentage terms does a reduction of 7,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year amount to?

4. How many lorryloads of biomass would be needed a day?

5. Where would it come from, and how many carbon miles would it take to transport it to the site?

6. How much public money - i.e. in the form of grants etc would this enterprise require and attract?

7. What is really in it for the developers, for the environment and for the local residents?

Rita Baker, Lydbury North