A proposed power plant for the Hadnock Road has been recommended for refusal by Monmouth Town Council.

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

But following the Welsh Government’s refusal to allow the plan (Beacon, 11th October) 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.

Councillor Su McConnel who chaired the meeting said that she had been informed that 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.

She told councillors that although the gas used is a relatively clean fossil fuel, waste products would be carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxides. “ I personally have grave reservations about this plan” she added.

Cllr Anthea Dewhurst could not understand why the scale of the plant was so enormous and Cllr Jane Gunter added that she could see no reason for this now the hotel and spa had been turned down.

They recommended refusal on the grounds that the output was disproportionate and that the plan does not meet its environmental claim of efficiency now that the hotel and spa was not being built.