Plans are at an advanced stage for the construction of the first community scale Combined Heat and Power station, to be sited in South Wales, and one of only a handful in the whole UK. The company behind the station, to be sited in Hadnock Road in Monmouth, is Treenergy Ltd. It says South Wales and the South West of England have the perfect climate for growing trees. Expanding forests need to be thinned to ensure a healthy final crop of timber. They also need to be managed to gain the most benefit for wildlife to survive and people to enjoy. Treenergy will use timber to produce steam to generate electricity. All of this timber will come from well managed forests or recycling and will be replaced by nature. Managing Director David Thorp said on Monday "Timber is a natural product which is entirely renewable as long as trees continue to grow. Unlike oil, gas and coal, timber does not add to carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. "When fossil fuels were formed they absorbed carbon dioxide from a very different climate. The earth was hotter and the air had higher concentrations of greenhouse gases than today. By burning fossil fuels we are returning the environment to that state of many millions of years ago.". Treenergy will produce electricity as the main part of the business. It will also produce heat as a bi- product of energy production. Treenergy also provides opportunities for environmental education particularly about renewable energy. "Our main site to begin our development will be in Monmouth. We plan to hold regular public meetings with the local community to keep everyone informed about what we are doing and why. We are especially keen to demonstrate the benefits of using proven technology to combat climate change at a local level. "Our main site in Monmouth will allow for much the same benefits but the Spa will need consideration". Mr Thorp said the issue involved a long and complex process. "I have spoken to all the agencies and local politicians. I have been given a short list of concerns, which I am confident we can address". Local businessman, Steve Wadley, has expressed concern about the proposal. He told The Beacon this week "the power station is within an area of outstanding natural beauty and near to a very important Site of special scientific interest, ie. Priory Grove woods where there are many rare and protected species including doormice, bats, rare ravine plants and fungi. A change in the air quality i.e. smoke or fumes, could certainly affect the wildlife in the area. "Secondly, the site is near two schools, Agincourt school just across the river from the site and the new Grange school being built at the end of the hadnock road. There is also the issue of the public using the cycle path and footpath along the Hadnock Road to The Biblins and beyond. "This is used very frequently throughout the year and is a great attraction to tourists. I also note that Treenergy are trying to play the green card by stating the wood they use would prevent it being dumped in landfill sites, would they really use just waste wood? "Another consideration is the effect this power station would have on residents near the site who would have to "put up with" the noise and smoke from the station. Tree energy have stated the noise would be below the level of noise from the dual carriageway, does this mean that the station will be shut down at night when there are fewer vehicles using the carriageway and when residents will be very aware of increased noise levels? "The residents of Hadnock Road have had to live with the industrial site increasing around them for many years, isn't it about time the planning system gave serious consideration to the future effect of these industrial developments and took local views into proper consideration. "Monmouth is a beautiful town surrounded by exceptional and rare natural habitats, these areas of outstanding natural beauty bring huge numbers of tourists who come purely to see this beauty, they do not come to see a power station next to the river Wye and we do not chose to live here because of the industrial sites. "I sincerely hope that people who really care about this town will voice their objections against this planning application" Mr Wadley added. Other local residents also contacted The Beacon to express their concern at the proposal and they agreed to be pictured on the site by Beacon photographer, Des Pugh.
