106.5 JACK fm Bristol

Demonstrators are urging planning committee members to turn down an application for a biofuel power plant in Avonmouth.

Local residents, environmental groups and councillors are joining forces to oppose the development because they say the impact it would have on the local environment isn't yet known. They're calling on the City Council's Planning Committee to reject the application for the mega tropical plant.

Leader of Bristol City Council, Councillor Barbara Janke said: "I am very concerned about the impact that the production of the likely fuels such as palm oil and jatropha oil would have on the countries where they are grown."

Fellow Lib Dem councillor Neil Harrison who is Assistant Executive Member for Sustainability added: "There are plenty of reasons to be very worried about tropical biofuels like palm oil.  Most compelling for me is that there is not strong scientific evidence that it is any better for the environment than fossil fuels."

The government subsidises schemes which back the creation of renewable energy but opponents to biofuel argue that they are guidelines on renewables were created before biofuels were put forward as a 'green' energy option.

Councillor Harrison continued: "It's expected there will be debate at the planning meeting as to whether there are sufficient grounds in Bristol's planning rules to reject the application.  Decisions by the committee can only be made in accordance with the planning rules. 

The Council's chief planning document says that renewable energy projects should only be approved where there is no unacceptable impact on the natural environment, but it also says that it will adopt a precautionary approach where impacts are uncertain.

In effect, if the committee members are persuaded that there is even a danger of damage to the natural environment in the UK or abroad, then they are able to vote against the application with full confidence."

Protestors have gathered on College Green this afternoon, while the planning meeting goes ahead inside The Council House.

 

You can also check out this video on YouTube:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_J5qfbcLlU&feature=youtube_gdata

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