Last updated at 14:09, Friday, 06 July 2012

CAMPAIGNERS against a proposed biomass plant have vowed that “the fight starts now” after the planning application was formally submitted.

Centrica confirmed it has lodged the application with the national Planning Inspectorate.

Campaign group Furness Opposes Biomass now has more than 13,000 signatures on a petition against the plant, and is due to present it to Downing Street on Thursday.

Spokesman Scott Symon, of Liddle Close, Barrow, said: “I thought Centrica would have listened to what the people were trying to tell them. We did have a promise off them they wouldn’t impose it against the will of the people.

“We are going to have a meeting on Tuesday night to discuss the way forward.

“We are then going to hold roadshows as we want to inform people (who object) about their way forward, as we now want to put our objections forward to the Planning Inspectorate. The fight starts now for us.”

Fellow campaigner Dennis Yates, of Rampside Road, said: “I think it’s fairly clear that it’s not wanted. The traffic around here and the surrounding areas, through to Ulverston, is a major problem. It just seems totally in the wrong place.”

Conservative Barrow borough councillor, Ray Guselli, who is also opposed to the plan, said: “The most important thing now is that those opposed to the proposal understand this is the first step in Centrica’s long route through the planning process, which can be opposed.”

Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock had asked Centrica to withdraw its proposal to build the 80MW plant at Roosecote following a public debate in May, when the plans met united opposition from residents in attendance.

Mr Woodcock said: “I am disappointed Centrica are pressing ahead to the planning stage but conscious the company has yet to make a final decision – there is still time for them to listen to the views of local people.

“At a meeting on biomass in the House of Commons last week, I confronted energy minister Charles Hendry with the difficult truth that companies and the government are completely failing to win local acceptance for projects like this.”

The power station would create 500 jobs during construction, 50 once operational, and 20 at the docks.

Centrica says the existing Roose gas fired station is the oldest in the UK and is no longer economically viable.

The company wants to replace it with a biomass plant to provide a low-carbon, sustainable source of power.

A Centrica spokesman said: “Centrica has undertaken significant public consultation on its proposals to both inform residents and other interested parties on the plans, and to allow early views to be expressed.

“We have heard a full range of views – supportive and opposed.

“Our proposed biomass project is going through the consenting process – a necessary step that needs to be completed before we consider whether to invest and build this plant.

“No decision to construct this plant has yet been made; and, in the period between now and that decision point, we will continue to listen to, and reflect on, all of the representations that are made to us.”

First published at 13:37, Friday, 06 July 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk