THE leader of Trafford Labour group has written an open letter to the chairman of Peel Energy, asking him to reconsider his plans for the Davyhulme biomass plant.


Trafford Council unanimously voted against Peel Energy’s Barton Renewable Energy Plant (BREP) in 2011, but its decision was overturned at a public inquiry in 2012 and confirmed by a High Court judge in February this year.


In his letter to Owen Michaelson, Cllr David Acton said: “I’m not going to pretend now that I agree with the technology or the sustainability of the plant; and I do feel betrayed by a Coalition Government who’ve shown scant concern for ordinary residents in allowing the permissions for the plant to go ahead.


“However, I’m not writing to you to score political points.


“I’m writing because I believe there still remains the opportunity for you to relocate the proposed plant away from residential neighbourhoods and away from an already over-polluted area.


“And I would not be serving the people of Trafford if I did not urge you, even at this late stage to reconsider the location of this plant.”


Jon England, project manager at Peel Energy, said: “We have considered the points made by Councillor Acton and have responded to him directly.


“A forensic public inquiry, and the subsequent High Court challenge, have concluded that BREP complies with overall planning policy and will have an imperceptible impact on air quality.


“The need for secure and sustainable energy is as important as ever with a predicted doubling in the demand for electricity by 2050.”