Second public meeting for £114m project

By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporter

A company that hopes to build a £114 million green energy incinerator plans to hold a public meeting on the scheme in the new year.

Developers, Broad Energy, claim the incinerator, earmarked for Buttington Quarry, could power more than 20,000 homes and create 35 permanent jobs.

The Powys County Councillor for Trewern which includes Buttington, Amanda Jenner, already held a meeting on Friday night.

Broad Group chief executive, Alistair Hilditch-Brown, said: “We will be holding a public meeting in early 2019 once we are able to release all the information without prejudicing the statutory planning process.

“But until that time we have pulled together an exhaustive FAQ section which can hopefully answer a majority of questions people may have.

“This is available on the project website which can be reached at www.broadenergywales.co.uk.”

Classed as a development of national significance, the application will be dealt with by the Planning Inspectorate for Wales rather than Powys County Council.

It is expected that Powys County Council’s Cabinet will discuss the project in the new year.

This would be as part of a wider discussion on how planning applications of national importance are dealt with.

As a statutory consultee the council will be expected to provide the planning inspectorate with an opinion on the plans.

If built the site would supply power to an eco-business park included as part of wider development plans by the quarry owners, but could also be offered to other users.

The fuel would be made up mainly of residual waste from industrial and commercial sources in Powys and neighbouring counties.