Festival deal fans flames of biomass plant protests

Published on Monday 30 May 2011 14:50

CAMPAIGNERS against plans for a controversial power plant on Edinburgh's waterfront have accused developers of attempting to "buy" local support.

Protesters accused Forth Energy of "patronising and trying to con local folk" into supporting plans for a 360 million biomass plant by sponsoring the Leith Festival Tattoo.

The 200-megawatt plant is expected to create between 500 and 700 jobs during construction and sustain a further 60 or so once operational.

Forth Energy says the facility will provide renewable energy for 54 per cent of the Capital's electricity needs.

But the proposals have come under fire from both locals and environmentalists due to plans to bring most of the fuel - in the form of wood chip - from forests in North America and the impact opponents say the development will have on Leith.

&#149 Will Forth Energy's funding stop you from attending the Leith Festival Tattoo? Vote here

Sally Millar, a spokeswoman for the No Leith Biomass campaign, said: "We don't like this sponsorship deal at all. Most people and businesses in Leith are strongly opposed to Forth Energy's plans and don't like the way Forth Energy have been patronising and trying to con local folk.

"But we believe that public disgust should be directed at Forth Energy, not at the Leith Festival. We want to let Forth Energy know, loud and clear, that this blatant attempt to buy approval does not fool anyone."

She added: "We recognise that these are very tough times indeed financially, and that can mean tough choices for organisers. It's certainly very disappointing that they've been driven to this desperate step, but the Leith Festival is something that brings people together and we are determined not to let Forth Energy or anyone else spoil that."

Adele Conn, manager of Leith Festival, said the Tattoo would not have happened without the backing of Forth Energy.

She said: "We're trying to put on an arts festival and there's nobody else handing out cash.

"We're apolitical, but when somebody offers you money, you have to make a difficult choice about taking it."

Forth Energy declined to comment.