1200 sign up to oppose Leith biomass site

Published on Friday 29 April 2011 11:44

NEARLY 1200 people have signed a petition against plans for a controversial biomass plant in Leith.

Forth Energy hopes to get permission to build the facility, which would be powered by woodchip from North America or Scandinavia, on Edinburgh's waterfront.

But the No to Leith Biomass Plant group hope to stop the scheme. It claims that the campaign is not about "nimbyism" but about "real health concerns" associated with the plant.

The developer of the plant has hit back at claims. Forth Energy said the proposed facility would meet strict standards on carbon emissions, fuel sustainability and air quality.

Last week protesters welcomed a decision to put the project on hold for six months.

Developer Forth Energy said it wanted more time to consider arguments raised during the public consultation period. But campaigners said the company had been stung by the level of opposition to the plant, with more than 1000 objections from members of the public, as well as from local politicians and Scottish Natural Heritage.