Renewable energy developer Broad Energy is hoping to rearrange a closed meeting with Welshpool Town Council after members of the public were invited in error to a meeting.
Broad Energy wants to create a new energy recovery facility which could help Powys generate low-carbon energy capable of powering 20,000 homes.
Plans were unveiled last year for the energy recovery facility (ERF) which could be built at Buttington Quarry, Welshpool, and would be designed, built and operated under an Environmental Permit by Hitachi Zosen Inova (HZI), a global leader in delivering energy projects.
It will see up to 150,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste transformed into low-cost, low-carbon electricity, and create 35 jobs in the county.
The proposal followed a top-level report which revealed that more than three quarters of Powys' energy requirements were met by renewable energy last year.
Alistair Hilditch-Brown, Chief Executive of the Broad Group, said: “We’re committed to engaging with local stakeholders and the public to gather as many views as possible on our proposals.
“We had been invited to attend a closed meeting with Welshpool Town Council to discuss our plans ahead of the launch of our formal public consultation. Unfortunately, members of the public were invited to the meeting, meaning we were no longer able to attend due to the legal constraints on the application at this stage.
“The statutory planning process limits our potential to publicly answer questions and disclose full details of the project, meaning our hands are tied.
There will be opportunities for people to have their say on the proposals for Buttington ERF during the pre-application consultation process, and we are hopeful that Welshpool Town Council can rearrange the closed meeting with between us and its councillors as soon as possible.”
The planned ERF will create around 300 construction jobs and 35 permanent, skilled jobs when operational. Broad Energy is planning to work with local employment providers to ensure Powys residents get the first chance to secure jobs at the site.
A six-week consultation period is due to start in the coming months and residents, businesses, local organisations and councillors will be invited to share their views on the development.
Further details are available on the project website www.broadenergywales.co.uk where people can also leave their feedback on the development