Impact of energy plant considered
Proposal to have‘no significant environmental effect‘
A proposed glasshouse and energy plant near Throsk will not significantly affect the environment, say Stirling Council planners.
As reported by the Observer in September, Bandeath Holdings are hoping to create a low carbon energy plant powered by nonrecyclable waste.
The plant, planned near the shores of the river behind Bandeath Industrial Estate buildings, would also see two new food production facilities housed in large glasshouses likely to cover an area the size of 14 football pitches.
The glasshouses will use the heat, electricity and CO2 generated at the plant to grow tomatoes – around 150 million of them.
Stefano Smith Planning has now requested a screening opinion as to whether a planning application for a river source heat pump, glasshouse and infrastructure at Bandeath Industrial Estate would need to be supported by an Environmental Impact Assessment.
While council planners say this would not be required, they add that other supporting information should accompany any planning application including impact assessments of landscape and visual impact, noise impact, air quality, traffic and flood risk.
In the decision, planning officer Jane Brooks-Burnett said: “The site was previously part of the Bandeath Munitions Depot established from 1914 until its closure in 1978.
“The River Forth to the north and west of the site (from which water is to be extracted and returned) is a ‘sensitive area’ and designated as a RAMSAR site, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Special Protection Area.
“Whether a proposal is likely to have significant effects on the environment is a matter of professional judgement for the planning authorities, who may seek advice from consultation bodies. In this case Scottish Natural Heritage and SEPA were consulted.
“SEPA considered that the proposed development will be unlikely to have a significant effect on the environment subject to standard and reasonable environmental mitigation measures being put in place.”
SNH had also agreed with the council’s conclusion that an EIA was not required, but want an assessment of potential disturbance and/or loss of habitat from the construction and the potential loss of foraging habitat for geese.
The glasshouses would cover over seven hectares of the almost 18 hectare development site, with a water storage lagoon nearby.
There would also be a river source heat pump building with two 15 metre high emission stacks.
Bandeath Holdings have said around 270 permanent jobs plus maintenance and supply chain jobs could be created if the low carbon energy plant goes ahead and there is also the potential for an ‘aquaponics’ facility which could also use the heat energy to grow other vegetables and rear fish.
The facility could support a district heating network to reduce fuel poverty locally, and also power a potential large data processing centre.
In 2012 Stirling Council’s planning panel unanimously rejected an application for permission in principle by Powercrofters Ltd for a waste-toenergy plant at a site next to west of Bandeath Lodge, on the other side of Throsk, despite it being recommended for approval by council planners. Cogent Energy later lost an appeal lodged against the refusal on behalf of Powercrofters.
Residents voiced concerns about the impact of the proposal and attracted backing for their objections from communities further afield and from Friends of the Earth.
Bandeath Holdings, however, say the cyclical nature makes the new project groundbreaking in environmental terms, and that points made in the Scottish Government planning appeal reporter’s findings had been assimilated