THERE are just seven days left for people to register their views on the new information relating to the proposed multi-million pound Winkleigh biomass plant. Applicants Peninsula Power submitted a significant amount of new information about the scheme earlier this month. The additional papers deal with air quality, noise emissions and where and how the main energy crop of miscanthus would be grown. The deadline for making representations to planning authority Torridge District Council runs until next Thursday, November 3. Kate How, communications manager for Torridge, said the authority had so far received around 40 objections to the additional information on the plan, a fraction of the 900-plus individuals and organisations which had made representations following the original submission of a planning application last year. Mrs How said: ?If someone had made an objection to the original application that would still stand unless the objection had been addressed by the additional information provided by Peninsula Power.? She said there may have been a smaller response this time because people were reassured that their view would still be considered. However, pressure group DUST (Devon Under Serious Threat) is urging those who objected to the original plan to write to Torridge Council to restate their original representation. The group held a packed public meeting in Winkleigh last Friday attended by West Devon and Torridge MP Geoffrey Cox. Chairman Roger Smith said the aim was to give local residents an overview of the new information contained within the submissions and to motivate them to consider their response to these details. He said: ?If people who previously objected just write to the council and say they wish their objection to stand, that seems perfectly reasonable to me.? He said he was not ?disenchanted? by the small number of new objections so far, and said he expected more to be sent in the last few days before the deadline: ?I think people will launch their campaign against the additional information and comment accordingly on what they see and read. I believe the campaign will be quite successful in terms of displaying what an ill-founded scheme this is.? Peninsula Power says its WINBEG scheme would source much of the fuel supply for its plant within a 25-mile radius of the site. It says there are significant benefits to farmers in growing energy crops, including bringing stability to farm businesses and offering wildlife bio diversity. Details of Peninsula Power?s new submissions can be viewed at Torridge Council?s offices at Riverbank House, Bideford, and Torrington, by prior arrangement with Nicki Bullen, clerk to Winkleigh Parish Council, on 01837 83981. The information is also available on-line at http://www.torridge.gov.uk/">www.torridge.gov.uk/ winkleighbiomass and at http://www.peninsulapower">www.peninsulapower. co.uk Once the consultation period has elapsed, the district council will collate all the responses and information received with a view to deciding the application before the end of the year.
