Key stage in revolutionary heating plan
Published 8 Feb 2012 08:00
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Our image shows how the generation plant will look.
A KEY stage in the establishment of a revolutionary method of heating for homes and businesses in the Cardenden area came on Wednesday with the decision by councillors to give the green light to plans to build a biomass energy generation centre at the Jamphlars.
Cowdenbeath Area Committee unanimously gave backing to Ore Valley Housing Association's CHAP proposal to build the centre on the site of the former Bowhill Colliery.
The generation centre would house a fuel store, turbine hall and ancillary facilities, planner Chris Smith told members.
The generation facility would burn wood chippings to create heat and power for a local network within the community of Cardenden. The hot water would be taken to the village from the plant by a network of pipes. Mr Smith noted that five objections had been lodged in relation to the application. The objections included that the plant would be on the other side of the village from the houses it would serve, the project would intensify the use of the former Collierty site as an industrial area, and there was insufficient information on the type of fuel to be used and prevailing winds would take emissions from the plant across the village.
He added, "The location of the plant is not such to warrant refusal of the application while it is seen as a suitable site for such a facility as there are no designated employment land sites in the village itself.
"The specific type of wood chip fuel to be used has not yet been finalised, but notwithstanding this SEPA has confirmed through the PPC licence, emissions from the plant would be within acceptable thresholds in terms of air quality.
"In relation to the prevailing wind this is not considered a material planning consideration but SEPA has confirmed that the proposed 30 metre stack will mitigate against any potential air quality issues."
Councillor Mark Hood said that there had been some concern in the community about the plant but he felt that the establishment of a liaison committee would go a long way to helping this.
He added, "This would help avoid misinformation coming out about the development of the CHAP system and allow the operators to talk to people about developments and issues concerning the operation".
Councillor Ian Chisholm commented, "I think this is an excellent scheme which will be quite unique in our area." Committee chairman, Councillor Willie Clarke added, "This generation plant will not be seen from the main road but I agree that a liaison committee is a must for the project."
It was agreed to give the proposal the green light subject to conditions which would include the establishment of a suitable liaison organisation.
Andrew Saunders, Director of Ore Valley Housing Association commented, "We are highly delighted that the Cowdenbeath Area Committee has approved our application for this exciting project.
"Planning consent marks a significant milestone for Cardenden Heat and Power. There is still a lot to do to finalise the funding and the contractual arrangements and we are working hard on these issues in the hope that work can start later this year."
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