Biomass power station is threat to primary school, claims head

East Riding Council's planning committee will meet on Thursday to consider an application for outline planning permission by East Yorkshire Power Ltd for a largely straw-burning power plant to be built on the site of a former turkey farm at Gameslack Farm in Fimber.

The plant would produce up to 15 megawatts of electricity and supply 12 megawatts to the national grid. The proposals have divided opinion in the area, with 72 letters supporting the application and nearly 200 against. Some 386 people have signed a petition against the scheme. Fimber and Wetwang parish councils are calling for the application to be rejected.

And it has now emerged opponents include the headmistress of a primary school in the nearby village of Wetwang, who has written to the council warning that the plant could threaten the school's viability.

A report to the committee which includes a summary of the comments of Anne O'Connor, head of Wetwang Church of England Primary School. She said some parents said they would withdraw their children from the school if the scheme goes ahead.

"The headmistress does not wish the school to be involved in the debate but feels this should be brought to the attention of members (of the committee).

"Parents generally feel that the plant would be more damaging than beneficial."

Fimber Parish Council said the development would ruin the landscape and set a precedent for further industrialisation of the Wolds. "The precedent created by this industrialisation of a high quality landscape will encourage further intrusive and inappropriate development and degradation of the area and surroundings.

"Once the plant is operational there will be a significant deterioration in the quality of the landscape and environment in the vicinity, disturbance to wildlife due to noise emissions, light and traffic by an industrial use on a rural environment."

Other concerns include an influx of heavy goods vehicles on rural roads and fears about pollution from the 28-metre (92ft) high chimney. The plant would primarily burn locally-sourced straw with the potential for using 30 per cent of the capacity for other materials including wood chip, short rotation coppice or miscanthus (large grass).

Before the plant can be built 310,000 tonnes of chalk would have to be excavated from the site.

The council's public protection division has called for a report into the noise the plant would generate before it provides a full response to the proposals.

Two public meetings to discuss the project each attracted more than 100 people. Some people are hoping to attend the meeting at County Hall. East Yorkshire Power Ltd said the plant would bring economic benefits to the area, create 10 full-time jobs and provide business opportunities for local farmers, hauliers and contractors.

Regional development agency Yorkshire Forward said it welcomed developments that increase the level of renewable energy generated in the region.

The planning report recommends the application is deferred for the establishment of a community fund to support local facilities and initiatives, with approval to follow.