Cyngor i Gary Reevell

Ymholiad

• Oddiwrth: Gary Reevell
• Y dyddiad y rhoddwyd y cyngor: 11 Hydref 2010
• Math o ymholiad: Email

Could you advise me if you have ever received an application for a 40MW biomass power plant at Scawby Brook, Brigg. North Lincolnshire? The application was refused by the local council earlier this year and the developer Eco2 are to appeal this decision. I have noticed a continual reference within the developers submission to their proposal being "essential infrastructure" and I assumed that if this is indeed the case it would have been examined by the IPC as a significant infrastructure project?

As a resident living in close proximity to the proposed development site I have a number of concerns including the risk of flooding. The Eco2 proposal is in a flood zone 3a area and adjacent to an existing Centrica gas fired power plant which was flooded in June 2007. The flood risk assessment provided by Eco2 only considers the development site and not the wider surrounding area (ie surface water run-off flow paths). Since 2007 Centrica have successful applied to protect its plant from flooding by forming a large protective bund. Further development of a second Centrica plant is with the IPC at the moment which may also have a significant impact on surface water run-off in this area.

If as suggested the Biomass power plant is deemed "essential infrastructure" are there any restrictions to its development within this flood zone? I am aware that other more suitable lower flood risk sites have been overlooked during sequential testing and would rather see the proposed site put to better use, such as providing space for water from which the Centrica site(s) and local community would benefit.

Cyngor a roddwyd

Thank you for your email dated 11 October 2010 regarding a proposed 40MW biomass power plant. The Planning Act 2008 (the Act) sets thresholds for proposals which are Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) to be considered by the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC), these thresholds can be found within Part 3 of the Act in sections 14-30. In accordance with section 15(2)(c) of the Act the construction or extension of an onshore generating station must have a capacity of 50MW or more to be a NSIP. As the proposed biomass plant appears to be below the threshold, the application would not be considered by the IPC, therefore we would advise you consult with your local authority on the appropriate flood risk policy.