MSP demands "major, large scale changes," to Biomass plans

In a strongly worded statement, SNP MSP Shirley-Anne Sommerville has announced that she's written to Forth Energy letting them know that she cannot support their current proposals for a Biomass plant in Leith Docks without "major, large scale changes." On this webpage the MSP, who is also a member of the Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee at Holyrood, says:

"The vast majority of people responding to the consultation I carried out share my concern that this is the wrong scheme in the wrong location. Biomass does have a role to play in providing for Edinburgh's future energy needs but I cannot support this proposal unless Forth Energy listen to local concerns and make major, large scale changes.

The location is simply wrong - it's too close to housing, and in an area zoned for further residential development. The scale of the plant is too vast given the stunning skyline it will impinge upon and its impact on the local community. It's noticeable that the biomass power stations Forth Energy want to build in other Scottish ports would be half the capacity of the one proposed for Leith.

I also believe Forth Energy have failed to prove the green credentials of the plant - vital for any biomass scheme. A power plant which imports much its wood from North America is about as far form a locally sustainable power station as you can get.

But first and foremost I am calling on Forth Energy to carry out a proper consultation exercise. Too many local people are completely in the dark about what is going on. A display at Ocean Terminal and meetings with Community Councils are not sufficient - they need to engage directly and extensively with residents.

This proposal is a major departure from the Forth Port's original masterplan and should not proceed without people being able to have their say on something which will have a huge impact on their local community."

Shirley-Anne Sommerville is a local list MSP for the Lothians, and of course she is also in the SNP - the party that must decide whether to give these energy plants the go ahead.

We're delighted that she's come to the same conclusion as many other local politicians and community groups - that the Leith plant is too large, unsustainable and in the wrong place - and we hope she'll use her influence in the Scottish Government to ensure the plans, as currently proposed, do not get the go ahead.