Plans for a £325 million biomass plant at Rosyth have been backed by Fife planning committee, on condition a number of concerns are addressed.
The controversial bid by Forth Energy has attracted local opposition amid claims it is not environmentally friendly and could affect further development at the port.
Similar proposals by the company for sites in Dundee and Leith have led to protests there, and calls have been made for more organised opposition against the Fife application.
However, Forth Energy which is a joint venture of Scottish and Southern Energy and Forth Ports says 300 jobs could be created during the three-year construction phase and 70 permanent posts would be filled once it is up and running.
It would generate 42% of Fife’s electricity needs, while bringing an additional £26 million a year to the local economy.
The company also claims the Rosyth area would benefit from the biomass plant due to an 84% saving on carbon emissions.
Although the final decision rests with the Scottish Government, Fife Council had been asked to submit its views as part of the formal consultation process.
The planning committee unanimously supported the proposal on Tuesday, albeit with a number of reservations relating to flue gas and dust emissions, using rail to reduce the number of lorry movements to and from the site, and the source of the wood fuel used on site.
These concerns will be put to the Scottish Government for consideration in the council’s formal response.
Had the local authority objected to the plan, then Scottish ministers would have been obliged to call for a public inquiry.
Planner Angus Dodds said one million tonnes of biomass fuel would be required each year to run the plant, 85% of which would be delivered by sea. This would result in one or two deliveries per week to the dock.
The remaining 15% would be delivered by heavy goods vehicles. Ash would also need to be moved off the site by lorry.
Local councillor Ian Chisholm, who had previously opposed the development, gave it his support but said he still had some concerns.
“I’m glad to see it fits broadly with the emerging local plan for the area but I worry that this project might inhibit Rosyth’s potential as a commercial port,” he said.
Councillor Chisholm also raised fears about the height of the plant’s chimney which, he said, would be higher than the new Forth crossing.
Mr Dodds responded, “Forth Ports want to have cargo arriving at the port by boat. Commercially it would not make sense for them to be encouraging further cargo by road.
“Fife Council supports the use of sustainably sourced and delivered biomass as a means of contributing to European, UK and Scottish targets for renewable energy production.
“Fife Council also recognises the important contribution the construction and operation of this plant could play in providing employment at the port of Rosyth, and the potential a heat ready power plant has in attracting new investment to recognised employment sites in Fife.”
Mr Dodds added, “On balance, it is considered that the material considerations weigh in favour of the development.
“Accordingly, it is hoped the outstanding issues can be satisfactorily addressed through appropriate conditions, circumventing the need for a public inquiry.”
Dunfermline and West Fife MP Thomas Docherty said this week that he remained firmly opposed to the venture, claiming it was not environmentally friendly.
“It is not by any stretch of the imagination renewable,” he said. “The simple reason is the fuel is coming from 4000 to 5000 miles away.
“It doesn’t stack up environmentally because it’s coming from North America, Russia and Europe by boat into the Forth Ports site. My other concern is it could have a wider economic impact on the ability of Rosyth to thrive and grow.”
Calum Wilson, managing director of Forth Energy, said, “We are pleased that Fife Council’s planning committee has supported our application for a biomass fuelled renewable energy plant at the port of Rosyth.
“The application will now progress to Scottish ministers for a decision.
“The proposed development has the potential to position Rosyth at the heart of the renewable energy industry, creating new jobs, economic investment and low-carbon electricity and heat.”