Swansea plant's lifespan is 'too short for fuel trees to re-grow'
CAMPAIGNERS battling a controversial power station plan have labelled the scheme unsustainable.
They claim the 50 megawatt wood-chip burning facility has a life-span of 25 years — which they say is not enough time for trees fuelling the plant to be replaced.
The biomass station proposal, turned down by councillors last year, will be heard by a public inquiry in the spring.
An independent and Assembly appointed inspector will listen to anti-plant campaigners and developers Dingle Holdings before having the final say.
In the run-up to the inquiry, campaigners hope to canvass support among people in the Swansea Bay area.
Coedbach Action Group Committee chairman Robert Cammish fears if the Swansea scheme gets the go-ahead, a sister plant will be built near his home in Kidwelly.
He said: "In the power plant's lifetime, it would consume 12,500km of forest.
"That is the equivalent of 17 times more land than the Forestry Commission in Wales has — or four times more than the mountain forests in Wales.
"The Environment Agency states it takes 40 to 70 years for a tree to grow.
"By the time the plant has run its course, the trees it has used will not have been properly replaced. That cannot be considered to be sustainable."
Speaking at The Maritime Quarter Residents' Association's (MQRA) annual meeting on Monday night, Mr Cammish also accused Dingle Holdings' owner Clive Hughes of only being interested in making money.
"Mr Hughes is 69 years old. He is not going to be around to deal with the consequences in the future — unless he turns out to be some kind of world record holder," he added.
"He has no experience of running a power plant. He only wants to get permission so he can sell it on to a power company."
Residents at the MQRA meeting also expressed concern that smoke billowing from the plant would have a detrimental effect on air quality as well as businesses such as the Premier Hotel.
One resident remarked: "Who would want to stay in a hotel where you can see a power plant out of your window?"
Previously, Mr Hughes insisted the scheme would not be harmful to the environment and it would benefit the local economy.
But last night, he declined to comment, saying he did not want to speak before the public inquiry was held.
A spokeswoman for the Assembly Government said members of the public would be able to speak at the inquiry.
"They have to make themselves known at the beginning of proceedings," she added.
It will take place on May 18 at The Dylan Thomas Centre in Swansea.
ben.wright@swwmedia.co.uk
Related articles:
Protesters warning Swansea biomass plant will be three times' Liberty's size
Comments