Last updated at 16:34, Thursday, 01 November 2012

FROM the streets of Barrow, to countless council meetings, to Downing Street – Furness Opposes Biomass has had a long journey over the past eight months.

PEOPLE POWER: Around 14,000 people signed a petition opposing the Centrica plan

The group fought passionately to stop plans for an 80MW biomass power station at Roosecote, and members were celebrating last week when Centrica announced it was withdrawing the proposals due to a change in government policy.

The energy giant had hoped to build the biomass plant on the site of the existing gas-fired power station, which will now be closed.

Throughout their campaign, members of FOB held weekly meetings, and one final gathering took place on Tuesday to mark the end of their fight.

Scott Symon was one of the first members of the group and spent countless hours on the campaign.

“The most amazing thing to come out of this is the people we have met,” he said.

Mr Symon said he received more than 3,200 emails, and has been in contact with anti-biomass groups and medical professionals across the country.

FOB collected around 14,000 signatures on a petition against the plans, and Kevin Booth was the man tasked with handing the petition over to the Prime Minister’s office and speaking at council meetings.

Mr Booth said: “I think the campaign has helped me. It has given me a bit more confidence in life and I am not frightened to get up and speak.”

Other residents in the group found themselves in uncharted territory when they became involved in the campaign and had to learn new skills to boost their efforts.

Paul Kendall, who works at Kimberly-Clark in Barrow, took responsibility for setting up FOB’s website, his first foray into web design.

He said: “From speaking to people from work I just picked it up and learned as I went along.”

Mr Symon said although the fight against the biomass plant had now ended, the residents may continue to work together in the future.

“We want to set up a community forum so that we can become statutory consultees for any future plans,” he said.

During a relaxed meeting, FOB released one final statement in which they said alternative uses for the Roosecote site now needed to be identified.

Centrica has said it is looking at all options available for the site but is yet to make a decision.

First published at 16:40, Wednesday, 31 October 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk