TRAFFORD Council is to appeal against the Government’s decision to allow a biomass plant to be built in Davyhulme.


Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles, gave the green light to Peel Energy’s Barton Renewable Energy Plant (BREP) on May 16, following a public inquiry.


However, as a result of an emergency meeting called by Davyhulme and Flixton Conservative councillors last night, the Conservative-controlled council has sought advice from its lawyers and is to appeal against the decision in High Court.


Trafford Labour group had also called for an extraordinary council meeting in the hope a legal challenge could be made against the decision.


Deputy leader of the council, Sean Anstee, said the council has received advice from its own solicitors, as well as external counsel and has been instructed that there are legal grounds for the council to seek judicial review.


Cllr Anstee said the council’s lawyers will now prepare papers which are expected to be submitted to the High Court next week and that the interested parties, Peel Energy and the Breathe Clean Air Group will be informed.


“Peel are a valued partner within the borough but we don’t agree with this particular application,” said Cllr Anstee.


He added that the council has carefully considered the potential costs of a challenge against the advice received and is content at this stage to progress.


Ward councillor, Lisa Cooke, who has been prominent in the campaign against BREP, said: “This is the right decision for local people and continues to demonstrate that local Conservative councillors are on residents’ side and will not hesitate to continue fighting this development.”