Planning application for another River Medina bio-mass plant

A planning application for another bio-mass incinerator has been lodged with the Isle of Wight council.

Plans:The application has been made by Isle of Wight Grain Ltd as part of their proposal for a new grain dryer.

According to an article by Tony Cawley on the WRAP Medina Website, “the new dryer is to replace an old installation and is claimed by the supplier to be of a high specification and efficient at containing grain dust.”

Bio-mass incinerator to power the dryer
Tony goes on to say, “Unfortunately the application also includes a biomass incinerator to power the dryer.

“As is well established, these incinerators produce much the same pollutants as an asphalt plant and present a similar threat to public health.”

Current fuel methods uneconomic say applicant
The planning documents explain that there is currently planning permission for a new dryer on the same site, but in a slightly different position. It goes on to say that planning approval of the application is a prerequisite of a £350,000 grant application for the works.

The use of diesel as a drying fuel has become uneconomic, say the applicants, hence the desire for the new dryer to be fuelled by gas in combination with biomass.

Have your say
Members of the public can view the application and leave comments online, although the deadline is 10th August (Friday next week) 2012.

Thanks to Julia Hill from WRAP Medina (Wight Residents Against Asphalt Plant) for the heads up.

Read Tony’s article in full.