Dundee, biomass burner - the story so far

.....and how the application will proceed (updated 28 May 2010) 

(back to main page on Dundee biomass burner)

In August 2009 Forth Energy, a partnership between Scottish & Southern Energy and Forth Ports, announced plans for 4 large biomass-fuelled electricity generators in Dundee, Leith, Grangemouth and Rosyth..  

In December/January 2010 Forth Energy produced Scoping Reports describing the proposals. 

The relevant local authorities issued their responses with other consultees in a report called 'Scoping Opinions', published by the Scottish Government Energy Consents Unit. The first part provides general comments, while the second part is pablished in four separate documents (one for each proposal).

In Dundee Forth Energy held an exhibition in January, and another last week responding to comments made at the January exhibition, and also providing an artist's impression of the proposed plant.

Probably around mid July Forth Energy will apply for planning consent to Scottish Ministers (not the Council, because it is more than 50MW) under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989. Part of the procedure is called 'Gate Checking', whereby Forth Energy, briefed by the Council, Scottish Natural Heritage and SEPA, checks with the Energy Consents Unit, that it has submitted all the necessary documents. Notice of the application will be published in the Courier and the Edinburgh Gazette.

At the same time Forth Energy will hold another public exhibition, including all the documents that have been submitted:

• Environmental Statement

• Transport Statement (what will be the added traffic etc)

• Heat recovery plan (secondary, low-grade heat, which would otherwise go up the chimney stack, must be use for some sort of district heating system)

• Public Participation Statement (showing how the public were consulted)

• Design statement

These documents are all part of the s36 application to Scottish Ministers.

At that point the three statutory consultees (council, Scottish Natural Heritage, SEPA) will be able to respond to the application within 4 months. The Council will reach a decision on this, based on a committee report, around October. It will then be up to Scottish Ministers to consider all inputs.

If the Council has objected, there must be a public inquiry. If others object, Scottish Ministers can decided whether a public inquiry is required.

There is also a list of non-statutory consultees that Scottish Minisers will consult, including the public and community councils - local campaigners should make sure they are on this list.

Ministers may issue a direction deeming planning permission to be granted, but with conditions. Forth Energy will now be required to provide further information to be considered by the Council, mainly about planning issues such as access and appearance.

If consent is granted, the applicant will still require an operators license from SEPA (PPC license), a building warrant and permission from Crown Estates because part of the development will be under the sea). 

For further information talk to Lesley McNeil of the Scottish Government Energy Consents Unit, or Michaela Sullivan of Forth Energy (she is their head of planning).