Power plant goes against the grain

A HUGE grain silo which has been a feature of Edinburgh's waterfront since the 1930s is set to be demolished to make way for a controversial new power plant.

Those behind plans for the biomass facility at Leith's Imperial Dock have confirmed they intend to tear down the B-listed structure amid concerns about the scale of the new development.

Last month, the Evening News revealed that Forth Energy, a joint venture between Forth Ports and Scottish & Southern Energy, had earmarked the site near Ocean Terminal for a plant which would convert wood chip and other natural materials into energy.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The facility is set to feature a smoke stack up to 100 metres tall.

Alastair Tibbitt, a spokesman for environmental organisation Greener Leith, said many local people would not be sad to see the grain silo go, but questioned the need for the power plant.

He said: "Greener Leith has argued that truly sustainable regeneration in the docks area must incorporate some form of district heating system – and this is still something we'd like to see.

"However, we question whether a plant of this scale, on this site, is really what local residents would want."

He added: "Whatever scale of plant Forth Energy do eventually build on the docks, we believe that local residents should be entitled to benefit from a community fund that disburses a proportion of the profits made by the plant to a Leith Climate Challenge Fund that would promote sustainable development locally, and make sure that all Leithers get some benefit from the development."

Campaigners have previously warned that plans for the power plant represent a "serious shift away" from the original proposals for residential development.

The plant would generate up to 200 megawatts of electricity for the local network and heat from the use of about 1.3 million tonnes per year of biomass fuel.

However, according to a scoping report, the development would be within 400 metres of existing housing developments.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Local councillor Gordon Munro said: "Forth Ports had tried to find constructive uses for the building, but now they seem to want to wipe the slate keen and do something different.

"People who have already invested in the area will feel like they have been sold short."

Forth Energy declined to comment.