Planners to to give jobs go-ahead in blackspot

Developers want to build a 56mw biomass-fuelled electricity generating station on land at the former Pollington Airfield near Selby.

Although the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change will have the final say on the scheme, North Yorkshire County Council is being asked for its views.

Planning committee members will be urged to agree next Tuesday that they have no objection to the proposal, subject to a string of conditions in response to concerns by residents and groups, including Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.

The development would be near four villages – Great Heck about 800 yards to the west and Pollington about a mile to the east. Snaith is a couple of miles to the north-east and Eggborough about three miles north-west.

Five parish councils – Whitley, Baine, Eggborough, Great Heck, and Hensall – have objected or expressed concerns.

One claims that burning the waste wood as part of the generating process will produce particles that are unmonitored in the UK but can harm human health.

Others worry about of extra traffic blighting local villages and increasing congestion, while the scheme creates noise and dust.

However, the Environment Agency has no objections in principle and has underlined that air quality monitoring will be part of the license.

The 135 jobs would include energy centre and research workers, administrators, drivers, cleaners, crews for a barge and ocean-going vessel, wood handlers and processors and a wharf team.

About 200 people will be employed while the plant is built, according to Richard Flinton, the County Council's corporate director of business and environmental services.

He said: "This positive impact must be balanced with the effects and perceived effects on the amenity and health of local residents and on the environment in general."