An energy firm has submitted a planning application to build a controversial biomass power plant near a Speyside village.
The proposals were tabled to Moray Council by Estover Energy’s Speyside Renewable Energy Partnership this week.
Some local residents are concerned aboutvisual impact and the volume of heavy trafficthe development could attract.
The firm, a joint venture between Estover Energy and Standardkessel, said yesterday it had modified its planning application after speaking to people about their concerns.
If approved, the Biomass Combined Heat and Power Plant (CHP) at Craigellachie Wood would supply renewable electricity to the grid and heat to the nearby Macallan distillery.
The firm claims the plant will create up to 40 jobs in Moray — up to 20 at the plant and a further 20 in the local forestry and transport sectors.
After public exhibitions at Archiestown and Craigellachie on the plans, the Speyside Renewable Energy Partnership has added measures to address issues raised by local residents.
The proposal nowincludes improvements to road junctions, a slightly altered locationfor the plant, and forestry to help screen it from view.
Henry Warde, fromEstover Energy, said: “We were pleased with the response we received and have made alterations to the proposal with these comments in mind.
“It has helped us shape our application.”
He added: “The plant itself will only take up five hectares within a forested site of more than 41 hectares which gives us a lot of opportunity to retain and grow forestry for screening.”
As well as the permanent jobs, it is estimated thataround 100 jobs would be created during construction.
The plant would use “low-grade wood”from local forestry operations and a consortiumof more than 10 local forestry owners will supply the material on a sustainable basis, according to the firm.