Opposition grows to Wenlock Edge wood chip site plan
Opposition is growing against an industrial development at a former quarry along Wenlock Edge, with conservation groups vowing: "It's time to heal the scar in the landscape."
They are opposing a retrospective application from Edge Renewables for a wood chipping plant in the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
More than 4,500 people have signed petitions and 216 people have written to Shropshire Council objecting to the controversial application, which is to be considered by Shropshire planners on January 29.
The National Trust, Shropshire Hills AONB Partnership, Shropshire Wildlife Trust, Shropshire Ramblers and the Shropshire Geological Society are concerned about the impact of the scheme on the protected area. The project includes log storage, wood chipping and new buildings.
Ben Shipston, assistant director of operations for the National Trust, said: "The land should be returned to nature to essentially heal the scar on the landscape.
"The National Trust is supportive of renewable energy but we strongly maintain Edge Renewables' timber storage and woodchip processing operation is an unnecessary and inappropriate use of this land."
Mr Shipston said though Edge Renewables had said it plans to gift some of the site to the National Trust, the charity would not stop campaigning.
George Chancellor, chairman of the Shropshire Hills AONB Partnership, fears the plant could have a detrimental effect on tourism.
Edge Renewables managing director Simon Lloyd-Jones accused the National Trust of 'sour grapes' after the firm acquired the old Lea Quarry North from Aggregate Industries.
He said: "We are not damaging the ecology and are allowing geologists on site, so a lot of the National Trust's claims are baseless.
"It's a shame they are not prepared to work with us. We have given them the chance."
Mr Lloyd-Jones said the company would be working with Shropshire Wildlife Trust and the Shropshire Geology Society.
By Judith Sanders
