'Lack of courage' blast after council rejects power plant

Developers from BCB Environmental Management have accused county councillors of being swayed by the protest campaign after the 24m project was turned down.

The Yorkshire Post revealed on Saturday that a formal appeal is due to be launched by the company against the decision by North Yorkshire County Council which is likely to end in a public inquiry.

BCB's managing director, Phil Boardman, said: "We believe that the county council's decision last year was unreasonable and demonstrated a complete lack of moral courage and leadership, being unduly influenced by political considerations.

"We are encouraged that our view is supported by the opinion of one of Britain's top planning lawyers and believe that common sense and an impartial interpretation of the law will ultimately prevail.

"It is generally recognised that Britain urgently needs to increase the supply of sustainable energy and reduce dependence on carbon fuels. Our proposed development does exactly that."

Members of North Yorkshire County Council's planning committee met in December when they refused permission for the energy-from-waste plant at Tockwith, between York and Harrogate.

The proposed development would have used 60,000 tonnes of waste each year to generate enough electricity to run about 10,000 homes.

But protesters voiced concerns that the technology remains unproven as the power plant at Marston Business Park would be the first of its kind in England, and maintained the operation could jeopardise public health.

Coun John Savage represents Tockwith on both Harrogate Council and North Yorkshire County Council and has been a vocal critic of the scheme.

He said: "The decision in December was made purely and simply on the facts that were presented to the council. It was certainly not politically motivated - indeed the planning committee is one of the least political on the county council."