Biomass: Some Answers

Yesterday evening I attended another of Helius public consultation events. The turnout was impressive. In almost two hours, I would suggest that well in excess of 200 people passed through the doors of Freemantle Church on Testwood Road.

This was another opportunity to show support for the community, but also to get some answers from one of Helius top men: Paul Brighton is the Planning Director for Helius on this project, and I managed to pin him down for a few “answers” to questions that you have asked me to raise.

What are the benefits to the local community for having a Power Station here?

Mr Brighton answered that there would be a number of benefits, although I was not persuaded by any of them:

Jobs: “there will be 450 jobs during the construction phase, with 40 permanent jobs thereafter.” It was confirmed that there would be no ring-fencing of jobs for us locals or any tie-ins with local education providers. Therefore the benefit of jobs will not necessarily go to anyone who lives in the shadow of this proposal! Additionally, there was some concern as the Independent Planning Commission had different numbers of jobs being created from the Consultation Strategy which had different numbers from those being quoted at the consultation.

Carbon Agenda: “this will contribute to a reduction in Southampton’s carbon emissions.” However, Mr Brighton contradicted himself by saying that “it would only be a small step.” Putting this contradiction to one side, a 2006 British Gas survey of CO² per dwelling put Southampton as third best in the country. We were over 25% better than our neighbours Reading! However, I did suggest that in these challenging times, although important this was not the priority for a large number of families.

Combined Heat and Power: We then moved onto the issue of using the heating generated when making electricity and how that could be fed into the CHP network which lies less than a mile away. Helius answer was “this continues to be investigated throughout the process. It would only happen if it were commercially viable”. Therefore if Helius can’t make any money on it, they would rather it goes to waste. It’s not sounding quite the Green saviour is it?

Capital Investment: After continued questioning the Planning Director suggested that the people of Millbrook and Freemantle would benefit from a massive capital investment in the area. However, this investment is purely commercially driven, as there would be no improvement to the area as paid for by Helius. The IPC nor the Council “can force us to do anything which we feel isn’t commercial.” 

How was this site chosen? What other sites have been considered?

In answering this question Mr Brighton stated that Helius became aware of this site as part of a national search that they regularly undertake. I did suggest that perhaps Helius should undertake to look at the Eon Power Station at Fawley as this was in effect a mothballed site which would by closing by 2015.  However, he later confirmed that “this would be the largest power station we have attempted to build this close to a residential area”.

Much has been made in the press about the creation of a landmark building for the people of Southampton. Therefore I put the direct question to Paul Brighton, Have you any other designs in place? “We have no other designs at this time...” Going by Helios current plans, we can look forward to a giant green barn as our Spinnaker Tower.

Will the air quality get better or worse?

“The plant will not materially affect the air quality”. This I thought was strange, as I knew that Millbrook was an Air Quality Management Area already. However, talking to a resident at the meeting, he pointed out to me that he couldn’t have a log burning fire in his home, but they could build a Biomass Power Station. Curious.

Do you have a Corporate Social Responsibility Policy in place?

This question is very important, but the policy is often overlooked by businesses when dealing with communities. Basically if a local business has one of these it means that they will encourage growth and development within the community, and eliminate practices which harm the community whether or not they are legally allowed to do so. Its almost like a conscience for the business regarding its relationship with local people. Mr Brighton’s response: “I’m sure we do...it’s probably on the website”.

How long have you been conversing with the council on these plans?

I have made my feelings quite clear on the blatant u-turn taken by the Conservative-run Council on the issue of the Biomass. The portfolio holder in charge welcomed the proposal last year as did Millbrook Councillor Linda Norris in her winter leaflet. What surprised me was that Paul Brighton, Planning Director confirmed that they had been in serious talks with the Council “since September or October last year”. I thought I was on the ball with this issue when we were asking people their thoughts before Christmas, but I didn’t know the Council had been in talks for over 6 months!

It is true to say that as a non-scientist I haven’t addressed the major ecological debate on whether Biomass Power Stations are Green. However, my common sense approach on this subject was confirmed by Helius when they said that “At least 80% of the fuel would come from outside of England...including Scandinavia, the Eastern Americas and possibly Africa”.

My last comment on the evening should by given to Paul Brighton, as I did subject him to a rigourous questioning session on your behalf. I asked him if he thought that the community may suffer economically as a result of building a structure bigger that the Civic Centre in Millbrook and Freemantle. “There is no real evidence to show long-term negative impact on house prices...and you can’t ask me if I’d live here as it isn’t fair...”

Indeed Mr Brighton, IT ISNT FAIR.