“I HAVE not met anybody who is for this”, “the evidence received does not give me confidence to commend this application” and “this is very untrustworthy” were just three of the responses from councillors as Barry Biomass' planning applications were rejected by Vale Council planning committee.
Two crucial planning applications concerning the Barry biomass burner near the Docks area were decided by the Vale planning committee on March 21, including “retrospective full planning permission for development of the wood fired energy plant” and “planning permission for external storage, vehicle layover, and perimeter fencing relating to the plant”.
Both applications were overwhelmingly rejected.
During the meeting councillors, many of whom showed up in person, spoke passionately about their refusal to accept the applications.
Headlining those responses was Councillor Ewan Goodjohn, Labour member for Cadoc, who described how, by his calculations, Barry’s biomass burner would emit the equivalent amount of carbon dioxide as the entire VOG council produces every year.
A group that has consistently rallied against Barry’s biomass burner, Docks Incinerator Action Group (DIAG), was represented by Dennis Clarke, who gave a detailed summary of some of the issues with the burner including the height of its stack.
Council officer Ian Johnson, head of sustainable planning, who had the difficult task of providing a recommendation for the application, said it needed to be judged on its merits in front of the committee.
The council summed up its reasons for rejection as; the burner detrimentally affecting the amenity of properties at the Waterfront and Dock View Road, and the application failed to demonstrate there would not be adverse environmental impacts.
What was said at Vale of Glamorgan planning meeting as Barry’s biomass burner application is thrown out
Councillor Ewan Goodjohn: “This application would produce 130,000 tonnes of CO2 per annum – for context, that is the same as the same the entire VOG council produces every year.”
Councillor Emma Goodjohn: “I have not met anybody who is for this biomass burner.”
Dennis Clarke of Docks Incinerator Action Group (DIAG): “The stack in Barry is 43 metres high. Aviva has a stack at a similar site in another part of the UK 80 metres in height. Our stack rises up to just about half way to where Barry rises - which is 90 metres going north. If it was a higher stack, when the winds come, there would be lesser chance a plume from the burner would not land in the town.”
Councillor Ian Johnson (committee member): “The evidence we have received does not give me confidence to agree or commend this application.”
Councillor Mark Wilson (committee member): “The world has moved on and we need to move on.”
Read more on Barry's biomass burner:
- Vale of Glamorgan planning meet hit by technical problems
- Council ordered to pay up on Barry Biomass Incinerator
- Barry biomass incinerator planning row will cost residents
Councillor Nic Hodges (committee member): “As someone on the committee in 2015 when the original consent was given, I am amazed at the difference to that plan that was agreed and this plan we are asking to amend. The site and everything in it is considerably different.”
Council officer Ian Johnson, head of sustainable planning: “We are judging the application on its merits in front of us.”
Councillor Pamela Drake (committee member): “This has been going on for so long. I have and always will be against this build. It is very untrustworthy.”
Got a story in Barry? Email harry.jamshidian@newsquest.co.uk.
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