Broad Energy boss denies claims of false statements

Broad Energy today moved to refute claims made by a group formed to oppose their plans for a new 12MW energy recovery facility at Buttington, near Welshpool.

The Buttington Incinerator Impact Group (BIIG) say the developers were making false statements about the benefits of incineration and also say the project would not be “green” or “low carbon”.

But Broad Energy say their plans are substantive and robust and are based upon significant sectoral experience and knowledge.

In a statement released to MyWelshpool BIIG said the development was “for private gain because burning waste is a highly profitable business.

“Developers will build an incinerator anywhere that they can get planning consent even in such unsuitable places as Buttington.
“Broad Energy, the Buttington Developers, announced last week that they had obtained £115million of funding and once again repeated some of their false claims for the benefits of incineration.

“They claim it’s low carbon. It certainly isn’t. Burning a tonne of waste sends around a tonne of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Wales is working incredibly hard to cut its greenhouse gas emissions and burning industrial waste in Buttington, much of which will come from England, will certainly not help,” said the statement.

“They claim it’s green and renewable energy. It isn’t. Burning materials like plastic derived from petroleum, destroys them forever and means they aren’t available for recycling. This is why Friends of the Earth are so opposed to incineration.

“They claim it will create jobs - in fact just 36 for an investment of £115million. Not many and a lot of these will be specialist and filled from outside the area.

“They claim it will provide power for local homes. In fact the electricity produced will simply go into the National Grid and we certainly won’t be paying any less for it in our area.

“They claim there’s no risk to health. There’s considerable evidence that there is a very real risk and many people, including the Chair of the Welsh Government Environment Committee, are strongly opposed to incineration on health grounds.

“Worryingly the Buttington incinerator would be close to the village school.

“There are many other reasons why local people oppose this incinerator including the significant impact on road congestion and safety, the visual impact of a massive industrial facility on the landscape around Welshpool and the blighting of present and future housing development," the statement concluded.

Responding Alistair Hilditch-Brown, CEO, Broad Group Ltd said: “The expertise of our project team ensures all projections relating to our proposal for Buttington ERF are substantive and robust. They are based upon significant sectoral experience and knowledge.

“This project will play an important role in supporting the country’s ambition to reduce its environmental impact, and will create new employment opportunities, during both the construction and operational phases.”

“We want to fully engage with the local community to ensure they receive the correct facts about this proposal. And in doing so, we will be announcing a series of opportunities to meet with members of the project team and learn more about our proposals in the next few months.”