2008 date for biomass plants

The engineer behind plans for two biomass burning power plants in Tenbury Wells and Bishop's Castle has revealed they could be operational by the end of 2008.

Chris Day, of CJ Day Associates, believes both plants will be up-and-running within 15 months.

More than 2,000 people living in Tenbury Wells have objected to plans for a £5 million biomass burner in their town.

And people in Bishop's Castle claim they have not received sufficient information to support plans for a similar £5 million plant on a local business park.

However, Mr Day, who visited Tenbury Wells yesterday, has hit back at critics of both plants and said the biomass burners will provide green, clean electricity for both areas.

He said: "These plants are not a threat to human health or well being. I envisage the planning applications being submitted within a month to South Shropshire District Council and Malvern Hills District Council.

"It will take about eight weeks for the plans to be determined. If they are approved, it will take less than 12 months to build the plants and make them fully operational."

Mr Day said he was dismayed by repeated criticism of the plans and said many people had been ill-informed.

He added: "We have held a number of public consultation meetings but people still say we are not giving them information."

Mr Day said both plants would create many jobs and local teenagers would be offered apprenticeships.

He said other eco-friendly schemes to develop biodiesel could follow.