North Lincolnshire Council's planning committee is shortly to meet and decide whether Eco2's long-proposed Brigg straw-burning renewable energy power station gets the go-ahead, with new jobs for the area pledged by the company.
It's on the former Brigg Sugar Factory site but actually in Scawby Brook (Scawby parish). If councillors go along with their planning experts' recommendation, approval will be given.
The planning committee meets in the Council Chamber, Pittwood House, Scunthorpe, from 2pm on Wednesday (April 7) and the session is open to the public.Under the application, straw-carrying lorries travelling to and from the plant will follow a designated route down the M180/A15 and not through Brigg streets.
Studying the huge volume of reports now accompanying the planning application, it's a shame to see water and rail transport discounted. Perhaps some of the straw could have been delivered by train along the newly revamped Brigg line, as happened with the old sugar factory which had its own sidings/mainline connection. Barges could also have transported much straw direct from farmers' fields, as the New River Ancholme is just a stone's throw from the power station site.
Both ways would have cost more than simply using lorries, of course. But given the green credentials of rail and water transport it's a bit surprising both methods were allowed to fall by the wayside.
The report prepared for North Lincolnshire councillors, who will make the final decision, states: "The agents have been asked to consider rail and canal delivery of straw and have written to explain why neither of these options would be viable."We expect North Lincolnshire planners to approve the scheme; if they don't, anticipate an appeal to the Government for the green light.
Generating green power is a Government/European Community priority. But this plant could be made even greener through delivery of thousands of tonnes of straw by barge and rail, rather than along the roads of North Lincs.
Regarding barge use, we were told some time ago that the required year-round level of the Ancholme could not be guaranteed for this purpose. Yes, once a year they have to lower the river to carry out essential maintenance - but for that short period a simple switch to road or rail could surely have been introduced.
Indeed, using the same argument, the Highways Agency and local highway authority can't guarantee every road in the district being open 24/7, either. Accidents do happen - all to often - resulting in delays and closures.
Perhaps a mix of barge, railway wagons and lorries would have helped reduce the concerns of Scawby Brook residents over the amount of traffic passing through their hamlet (up to one every seven minutes during weekdays).
Consulted as a 'neighbouring authority' Brigg Town Council is not opposed in principle to the plant but members have concerns regarding the impact the development may have on the lives of those residents of Scawby Brook whose properties are reasonably close to the site, and those that are located on the proposed vehicular route.
