“The time has come for Peel Energy to cut its losses and scrap plans for a controversial biomass burning power plant in Davyhulme, Manchester” says Peter Kilvert, Chairman of the Breathe Clean Air Group in an email to Jonathan England of Peel Energy.
The Breathe Clean Air Group, a small group of residents in Davyhulme and Urmston, have taken the unusual step of undertaking an ambient air quality assessment in their neighbourhood, at their own expense.
Their report, which was submitted to Trafford Council’s Planning Department, as part of the huge number of objections to the Barton Renewable Energy Plant, shows significantly high levels of pollution already in Davyhulme. Oxides of nitrogen were found to be nearly twice the limit; all the heavy metals tested for were detected, with arsenic close to the limit; Particulate Matter showed huge percentages; and 1,3 butadiene, which is commonly linked to motor car exhausts, was 38 times the maximum allowed.
“These figures are alarming” said Peter Kilvert, “and I’m concerned that there does not appear to be any air monitoring carried out in Trafford. There’s also been plenty of talk about nitrogen oxides and fine particulates in the press recently, which justifies our worries about air pollution that would be caused by the proposed, Davyhulme incinerator.”
A report in the Scottish newspaper the Courier, says Tayside NHS has raised serious concerns about a proposed biomass plant for Dundee Docks. It says “there is a potential for negative effects on human health” and adds “NHS Tayside notes with concern that the siting of this facility is within an area where there are existing air quality issues that has been declared and Air Quality Management area for nitrogen dioxide, and will soon be for particulates”.
Particulates were highlighted in the ENDS report (Environmental Intelligence for Professionals) of 11th January 2011. Its headline ran “Fine particulates may have hastened a third of deaths”. It says that chronic exposure to particulate air pollution in the UK led to a loss of 340,000 years of life in 2008. The Particulate Matter may have hastened the deaths of up to 200,000 people, although most of them would have had an underlying medical condition such as heart disease.
The Scotsman (2nd Feb 2011) refers to a proposed biomass energy plant in Leith. Councillor Jenny Dawe said that the Council had received “strong advice” about the effect burning biomass could have on air quality. She said, “clearly, the impact of this plant in terms of fumes it produces is going to have to be looked at very closely. We decided against biomass boilers in schools after significant health and safety concerns were raised. We had very strong advice and there may be a danger from having biomass boilers in air quality hot-spots, where there are a large numbers of people living or a lot of traffic”.
Apart from health considerations, there is also uncertainty about the sustainability of biomass burning ventures. The “Press and Journal” refers to Peel Energy’s proposed plant in Lochaber, with its headline “Doubts cast on Scotland’s ability to fuel biomass”. The Forestry Commission has said that it might not be able to meet the demand of the new Lochaber biomass plant. Rebecca Carr, the Commission’s renewables and sustainable development adviser said “the gap between what is available and what is getting used is getting smaller. We have no capacity to enter into any new long-term contracts”.
“Landscape impact” has hit the headlines also. A proposed 50MW biomass, power station at Kings Dock, Coed Bach, Kidwelly, Wales has lost its appeal on the grounds of landscape impact, visual impact and Planning policy conflict.
“So it’s obvious” added Mr Kilvert, chairman of the Breathe Clean Air Group, “that the future of biomass burning plants is in doubt. “We are sure that the proposed plant at Davyhulme is the wrong type of plant in the wrong location. It’s too close to houses, shops, sports facilities, schools and the M60 motorway. We believe that Peel Energy should call a halt on this development now”.
Source: Breathe Clean Air Group
