DEVELOPER Peel Energy has dismissed a claim by campaigners that the future of the proposed Barton Renewable Energy Plant could be in doubt.

The Breathe Clean Air Group suggested that cutbacks in Government subsidies could mean the proposed plant will not go ahead.

But Peel Energy refuted the claim.

Jon England, Development Director at Peel said.  “We remain committed to developing the Barton Renewable Energy Plant (BREP). 

"The project has not been promoted as a peak power supplier to the grid to which this report refers.  BREP was promoted as providing continuous renewable baseload generation.  As such it is not relevant to the development of the BREP scheme as suggested by BCAG.”

Pete Kilvert, the chairman of the Breathe Clean Air Group - which has led the campaign against the controversial plant - highlighted the fact that the energy watchdog Ofgem has decided to cut subsidies paid to small power plants that provide back-up power for peak winter demand. Payments for small plants producing electricity at peak times from £47 per kilowatt to between just £3 and £7 per kilowatt.

He claimed: ""This report sounds like great news for the people of Trafford, Salford and the rest of Greater Manchester.

"We hope that not being given Government subsidies will spell the end for this toxic, hair-brained scheme." 

Peel Energy’s biomass-fired power station is designed to bring power to 37,000 homes by burning mainly recycled wood, virgin timber, energy crops and agricultural residues.

The scheme was opposed by Trafford Council but passed by the Secretary of State following a public enquiry.

Peel amended its application in 2016, with the company citing the need to investigate whether the plant could also supply heat, as well as energy, to nearby homes and businesses.

The plant is planned to be built near the M60 Barton high level bridge over the Manchester Ship Canal.