Public urged to speak up on plans for waste incinerator
A councillor has called on opponents of a proposed waste incinerator to make their voices heard after plans were lodged with the Welsh Government.
Broad Energy Wales has formally submitted a planning application for a “Energy Recovery Facility” in Buttington near Welshpool, which could produce enough electricity to power 20,000 homes.
The application is seen as a Development of National Significance (DNS) and will be dealt with by government planning inspectors rather than Powys County Council officials.
The 12.8 megawatt incinerator development features other infrastructure, including a 70 metre high chimney stack and changes to the roads.
During the next month Powys County Council, and the community will be given a formal opportunity to consult on the plans.
Trewern County Councillor, Amanda Jenner , said it was vital that people respond to the consultation.
She said: “If you feel strongly about this matter then it is really important that you make your views known.”
Cllr Jenner advised people to write in “clear, simple, everyday language” and not to just vent their frustrations or annoyance about the proposal.
She said: “I will also be writing to the relevant Welsh Government minister to request an extension to the consultation until face to face meetings can take place in person.
“I am concerned that all should have the ability to engage with this given the emotive and sensitive nature of this.”
Muted
Cllr Jenner said she was worried that those who don’t have access to the internet may have their voices muted.
Documents would normally have been available for people to read at local council offices, but due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic this is not available.
According to Cllr Jenner an extraordinary meeting of Trewern Community Council is also being organised provisionally for May 11, to discuss the response to the proposal.
In their Design and Access Statement, Broad Energy explain that the facility would take up to three years to build, create 300 construction jobs and provide work for 30 permanent jobs once operational.
They add that the facility’s lifespan will be 25 to 30 years and that it would be operational all day, everyday,
Broad Energy said: “The vision of the development is to provide a sustainable use for a former quarry area by delivering a bespoke facility to waste management and the generation of low carbon energy.
"The long term objective is for the development to act as a catalyst for the wider aspiration for the development sire to create an eco-business park.”
“The Welsh Government has set the target to become a zero waste nation by 2050. The ERF represents a major step in helping Wales achieve this ambition.”
