Fears over green power plant plan

Local farms will supply the plant with 240,000 tonnes of straw a year

Plans for a "green" power station near Brigg in North Lincolnshire have sparked protests from local residents.

The Brigg Renewable Energy Plant would burn straw to produce power for 65,000 homes while cutting CO2 emissions.

But residents living nearby are worried about the increase in the number of lorries driving to and from the plant.

Objector Tony Longland said: "We shouldn't be encouraging an extra 200 lorries down a road when 15 years ago a bypass was built to take away traffic."

The planned development, on the site of the old British Sugar factory in Scawby Brook, Brigg, would become operational in 2012, subject to planning approval.

Jobs boost

The company behind the power station, Eco2 Ltd, said it may ask its hauliers to use major roads wherever possible.

It also said the plant would boost the local economy, creating 30 jobs at the site and 50 in the local straw supply chain.

Mr Longland, who is organising objections to the scheme, added: "I'd like green energy to my home but it'll go into the national grid.

"What will go directly into our homes will be the upwards of 700 kilos of carbon dioxide produced by the transportation to the plant."