ACHNABRECK could soon house a seven-storey power station if planning permission is given the green light by councillors.
The Argyllshire Advertiser can reveal that an application to build and operate a £13 million wood fired, combined heat and power plant was submitted to Argyll and Bute Council by Northern Energy Developments Ltd last December.
Meeting
But objectors are this week urging councillors to refuse the application at Mid Argyll area committee meeting on Wednesday.
There has also been criticism over the lack of public consultation, which Tony Bennett of Cairnbaan said has only been done through North Knapdale Community Council. Mr Bennett said: ‘I want to make sure people in Mid Argyll are aware this is in the offing. ‘My concern is that the first people will know is when the plant moves in.’
Tayvallich man John McArthur added: ‘Heat and power plants will only be fully viable if full use is made of the heat energy generated, but the position of this plant makes this difficult and the statement in the planning application that waste water will be cleaned and cooled is against the principle of an efficient biofuel operation.’
The planning application also acknowledges that if it goes ahead, the power station will operate 24 hours a day, and that there will be scenic issues due to its size.It is also believed that Scottish Woodland Trust of Kintyre will supply timber for the station.
Mr McArthur added: ‘That will mean more timber lorries on the road which will contribute to further destruction of our inadequate roads system.’
Hugh Semple, chairman of North Knapdale Community Council said the planning application was put to the community council at a meeting at the end of last year.
He added: ‘Generally the meeting was supportive, subject to us being satisfied that everything was in order. We felt that a lot of the concerns had been answered and we have been in communication with the planners.
‘Provided that the planners and consultees are happy with the detail, then we are reasonably sympathetic.’
As the Advertiser went to press, Northern Energy Development Ltd was unavailable to comment.
