Power station to cut area waste

The people behind a £5 million plan to build a biomass burning station in Bishop's Castle have claimed it will reduce the annual amount of CO2 emissions in the area by 7,000 tonnes.

They told a public meeting in the town the scheme will also create 20 jobs.

Andy Heward, Richard Cooke and Robert Povall claim the station will have a huge impact on the town's efforts to save the environment.

The men, who are being joined by Shropshire Highland Seeds businessman John Evans and Oxfordshire-based technical expert Chris Day in the consortium behind the plans, outlined figures during a meeting at Bishop's Castle's Church Barn last night.

Mr Povall said: "A lot of residents have expressed concern about the environment. This plan would reduce Bishop's Castle's carbon dioxide emissions by around 7,000 tonnes per year.

"The reason for the massive reduction is that the town would no longer depend so heavily on traditional fuels."

Mr Cooke added that the switch to energy crops would reduce the need to burn oil and coal. He said: "The scheme would benefit the environment."

Mr Heward, who said the plans would create about 20 jobs, said the plant was essential because some businesses suffered from poor electricity supplies.

"We've spoken to a number of local companies and they say they have intermittent supplies at times. This plan would solve that problem," he said.

Scores of residents were at last night's three-hour meeting. However, many residents want additional assurances about the environmental impact and the effect on residents' health.