Bishop's Castle biomass plant a step closer

Plans for a £5 million biomass plant in a south Shropshire town have moved a step closer to reality after land was provisionally set aside for the scheme.

The plant has been earmarked for Bishop's Castle Business Park - dashing the hopes of an environmental group in the town which wanted to create a 2.5 acre community farm on the site.

The decision has attracted huge criticism from groups opposed to the scheme.

It is hoped allotments on the site will be retained as part of any development, and discussions are due to take place between Shropshire Council officials and members of Bishop's Castle Town Council.

Once built, the plant will use wood chip and energy crops to create 2.5MW of power. A heat main from the plant will serve local schools, the leisure centre, church and industrial estates.

Chris Day, consultant to Bishop's Castle Biomass Power, said: "We are pleased with the positive response from Shropshire Council."

Karen Bavastock, chair of the Bishop's Castle Group which opposes the plans, said: "Shropshire council has just signed the death knell for Bishop's Castle - it's another nail in the coffin. We felt the biomass plant would impact so much on tourism and businesses in the town and I'm staggered Shropshire Council has ignored the wishes of the majority of people."