A SECOND biomass plant looks set to get the go-ahead in Port Talbot — at the second time of asking.

Planners were set to throw out the development late last year because it would affect the setting of nearby Margam Park.

But before it went before councillors the man behind the project, Geoff James, asked for a deferral so he could reconsider his proposals.

Now he has submitted amended designs which are being recommended for approval at tomorrow's planning committee.

But part of the deal, if approved, would see the power station's operators have to pay out thousands of pounds, with some of the money used to support businesses in the Port Talbot area.

Head of planning Geoff White concluded: "The proposed development would not have significant adverse residual impacts upon the majority of subject areas contained within the Environmental Statement providing suitable conditions are imposed.

"These conditions would be further reinforced by the Environment Agency's controls imposed under the environmental permit procedure."

Visit our Business in the Bay website

The application site is at Longlands Lane in Margam, where the town's first biomass plant is already up and running.

It involves a sustainable energy plant producing 35mw of electricity for the National Grid. For fuel it would use around 355,000 tonnes a year of treated waste wood from commercial, industrial, construction and demolition waste in South Wales.

Construction would create up to 150 jobs, with the plant employing 22 full-time workers once operational.

But there have been numerous objections from residents, along with Aberavon MP Hywel Francis and AM Brian Gibbons. Pollution, visual intrusion and noise were among their grounds for complaint.

Mr White said the developer had reduced the height of the boiler building and redesigned the look of the proposed buildings.

Get environmentally friiendly at our Big Green Switch website

If councillors do agree to approve the plan, this will be subject to a legal agreement that the developer would pay £80,000 for landscaping at the entrance to the site from the new Peripheral Distributor Road roundabout.

There would also be £20,000 for future maintenance. But the deal also requires payment of £50,000 for the first 10 years of operation of the plant and £25,000 a year afterwards for the life of the plant.

Mr White said: "The contributions are to be used for enhancement schemes or support for new and existing businesses within Port Talbot."