Fears over timing of power plant plans

CONCERNS have been raised that the planning application to build a controversial £360 million biomass plant could be missed by protesters after it was revealed it may be lodged over the festive period.

Forth Energy, which has confirmed that the formal planning application for the Leith docks plant would be made between the end of November and start of January, has come under scrutiny after bosses said the plans could be submitted around Christmas or New Year.

Malcolm Chisholm, one of a number of MSPs opposed to the plan, said he was "concerned" those against the plant could miss their 28-day window to object if they are away or preoccupied during the holiday period.

But managing director Calum Wilson said Forth Energy was committed to trying to avoid a clash with the holiday period so that the public had as much "uninterrupted" response time as possible.

He also revealed the company would be holding a second set of exhibitions to answer any public concerns, including a public consultation for the Leith Docks plant at the start of November. The last exhibition was at Ocean Terminal in February.

The planning application is set to be submitted to the Scottish Government's Energy Consents Unit (ECO) for an initial 'gate-checking' period in mid-November, when the material will be reviewed.

It is believed the checks will be completed within two to four weeks, before the application is advertised to the public.

Malcolm Chisholm said: "It is very regrettable as it appears that the application will be formally lodged at a time when many may not have the time to scrutinise it. I would call on Forth Energy to avoid Christmas and New Year. People ought to have a clear 28 days to object or consent."

Alastair Tibbitt, head of Greener Leith, which sent an open letter to the Scottish government protesting the plans, added: "You wouldn't need to be the most cynical Leither in town to come to the conclusion that Forth Energy were trying to slip through this application whilst folk are away on holiday."

Mr Wilson, however, said he couldn't put an exact date on when the planning application would be lodged, but he pointed out that the company would be aiming to avoid the holidays if possible.

He said: "It is too early to say when the application will go in, but we have no intention of eroding the 28-day period.

"It depends how fast the gateway process is. If it only takes two weeks, we could submit the application at the end of November, which would mean the 28 days was up by Christmas. Or we could wait out until January if it gets the go ahead in mid-December. We will work with the Scottish Government to make sure there is a full, clear consultation period.