DESPITE concerns from Monmouth Town Council, an outline proposal for an energy centre in Monmouth has been given approval.

The gas-powered combined heat and power (CHP) plant, housed in redundant buildings on Hadnock Road, was expected to provide four megawatts (MW) of power and would have provided heat and power for the planned hotel and spa complex with capacity to spare.

Following the Welsh Government’s refusal to allow the plan for the luxury 60-bed hotel and spa, members of the planning committee of Monmouth Town Council failed to see the justification for such a power plant on the site.

But the plans for the combined heat and power plant was approved by Monmouthshire County Council’s planning committee yesterday (5th December).

Members of the committee were divided over the benefits of the plant, some saying it would be a catalyst in regenerating the site which has been vacant for eight years. Others were concerned that there was little benefit in terms of employment or cheap energy for the surrounding area.

Planning officers recommended approval of the plan to the committee saying such a proposal was appropriate for the site, although there was limited employment, the site had been falling into disrepair for the last eight years.

Speaking on behalf of Monmouth’s planning committee, Councillor Felicity Cotton said the heat generated by a 4MW CHP plant would be sufficient for an Olympic swimming pool, and a substantial hospital complex and heating and hot water for 300 to 400 domestic homes.

However her comments failed to win over the majority of county planners who thought the proposal would be the right type of development for a C2 flood area and could provide some community benefit.

The planning committee voted 11 to 3 to approve the plans.