MP calls for end to Barrow biomass plan

A Cumbrian MP has called on a company to scrap plans for a biomass power plant.

Centrica Energy wants to demolish its Roosecote plant, near Barrow, and build a larger biomass facility.

Barrow MP John Woodcock originally said he thought it could be good for jobs and growth but following a public meeting he said he was clear on the strength of the feeling of opponents.

A Centrica Energy spokesman said it would reflect on the MP's views.

Mr Woodcock said he had made his decision after Friday's public meeting.

'Note views'

He said: "It was pretty fiery the meeting on Friday and people could not have been clearer how vehemently they are opposed to the idea of a biomass plant coming to the area.

"I did think this could be good for the area but it was always provided, one, environmental standards were met but, two, that the concerns of local residents could be addressed.

"And I was left in no doubt after that meeting plus a lot of correspondence I have had over recent weeks on the issue, some of which has been positive but the overwhelming majority was negative, that really people's concerns could never be met by Centrica no matter what changes they were to make in the basic outline they made last month."

Mr Woodcock said he had written to Centrica to ask them to withdraw their plans and not go through the formal planning process.

He said he thought people may have been "unreasonably scared" by some of the messages on campaigner's leaflets about health concerns but that the proposal needed to win community acceptance.

A Centrica Energy spokesman said: "We note his views. We received the letter and we will shall reflect on that."