Anglesey biomass plant: Permit for Peboc, Llangefni

Plans for a biomass plant on Anglesey have taken a major step forward after being granted an environmental licence.

The Eco Environment Resources UK plant in Llangefni would burn waste wood and animal fat to generate electricity for the National Grid.

Proposals for a £100m plant at the former Peboc site were first put forward in 2009.

Environment Agency Wales (EAW) said the plant would have to operate to the "highest environmental standards".

The company will still require planning permission before the plans can proceed after Anglesey council turned it down in May.

EAW said that following a detailed assessment, the proposed operations at the plant would "not harm human health or the environment".

As well as generating electricity, heat generated would be used to dry wood and produce wood pellets which could be sold for use as fuel in biomass boilers.

"We have conducted a thorough assessment into the company's plans and have consulted with local people to make sure we have all the relevant local knowledge before we made our decision," said David Edwell, north Wales area manager for EAW.

"We have scrutinised the company's operating plans and procedures and we are satisfied that they have the necessary measures in place in order to meet our high environmental standards.

'Strict conditions'

"Now that we have granted the permit, we will monitor operations at the facility closely to make sure the company continues to operate within the bounds of the permit."

The agency said it would enforce "these strict conditions and operating standards for as long as the facility is operational".

It had already said in October that it was likely to grant an environmental permit to the proposed plant.

The permit focuses on how the site will be operated, emissions and any direct impact on health and the environment.