10:30am Friday 7th August 2009
By Sharon Harris
A PROPOSAL to build a wood fuelled renewable energy plant on land at Barry Docks has been shelved by Vale planners.
Members of the Vale of Glamorgan council’s planning committee unanimously voted to reject Sunrise Renewables (Barry) Ltd’s application to site the 9MW factory at Woodham Road.
The company said its £20 million of investment would draw upon Barry’s industrial skill base and create 50 jobs for the local community with 25 permanent jobs thereafter.
But more than 900 residents signed petitions objecting to the proposals and submitted 67 individual letters.
Politicians from all parties expressed concerns about the development alongside Barry & Vale Friends of the Earth who had called on the Welsh Assembly Government to request an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) leading to the committee deferring a decision, for the second time, early in July.
The Barry Waterfront Consortium, who have detailed proposals to build 2000 dwellings on land nearby declined to support the firm’s application and a planning consultant, acting on behalf of Barry Town Council, said the application was contrary to the adopted Vale of Glamorgan Unitary Development Plan.
Committee members also expressed concerns that a plant comparable to the one proposed had not been operational on site visits undertaken by both planning officers and, on a separate occasion, themselves. The Vale Council’s planning officers had recommended the scheme be approved with an extensive list of conditions attached.
The company now has to decide whether to appeal the decision.
Dock View Road resident of 13 years Stuart Lyden, 45, said: "It’s a victory for democracy.
"The council has listened to the people which is their job."
Castleland Vale councillor, Chris Elmore congratulated the residents and thanked the politicians, from all sides, who had supported the people living in his ward.
Cllr Elmore said: "This is a victory for the countless residents who have written letters, sent emails, researched the effects of the plant on the local community and walked the streets collecting signatures.
"My thanks also go to Friends of the Earth for their sterling work in supporting residents in their research and advice on the proposals"
Fellow ward councillor Pamela Drake said councillors had understood residents concerns and the fact the proposal could have a negative effect on the development of phase 2 of the Waterfront Development.
A spokesman for Sunrise Renewables (Barry) Ltd said they were extremely disappointed at the decision to refuse their application for a Biomass facility in Barry docks.
He added: "This clearly goes against the strong recommendation from the councils’ own officers and indeed the technical and planning advice given to the committee by the relevant authorities.
“Although we are disappointed at this time, we will take stock of the decision and consider the various options available to us.’’
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