Straw power plant sparks dispute

Protestors said the chimney will dominate the area

Residents opposed to plans for an £80m straw-fired power station in Lincolnshire have said they are worried the plant would blight the area.

The station - run by Eco2 Biomass - would generate enough power for 65,000 homes each year and create 80 jobs in the Sleaford area.

Some residents said lorries bringing the straw would clog local roads.

But the firm said its plans were being put through a rigorous and open planning process.

Eco2 said the plant would produce 40 megawatts of energy, save 250,000 tons of CO2 each year and create a market for straw worth £6m a year.

The ash from the plant could be recycled for fertilizer, a spokesman said.

Traffic fear

But opponents have said the main building, which would be located on the outskirts of the town in open countryside next to Sleaford Town Football Club's ground, would be the equivalent of a 12-storey block of flats.

And Steve Bailey, who lives nearby, believed the traffic would choke the area.

"These will be big lorries, 61 feet long and they can only come in one way from the A17.

"Working it out, it will mean 28,000 lorry movements every year through that interchange and going from nothing to 28,000 is too much."

Changing opinions

Andrew Toft, commercial director for Eco2, said he welcomed tough questions being asked.

"This is part of the democratic process that we have to go through. We submitted our proposals in July and an online poll showed 77% in favour.

"The difficulty is that as time goes on the people who think it's a good idea fall away and those who are against it come forward."

Mr Toft said he hoped the plans would go before the council early next year.