Just when we thought it couldn't get any worse for the residents of Sellindge and Lympne, along comes Iceni Energy2 Ltd.
Who are they?. A small family run business based in Norfolk with finger in various green pies with a list of directorships between them. But to be honest, who cares.
The fact of the matter is that we now have a company jumping on the bandwagon of 'Biomass' energy to secure generous subsidies from central Government (our money) to operate a wood burning power station, burning over 820 tonnes of wood each day. According to the company Architect, building height will be a minimum of 30 metres (100 feet) with a chimney stack at 70 metres..Moreover, HGV traffic will increase adding to congestion and pollution.
Where is the wood coming from?, One director said 'Norway', one said 'Kent and when that runs out, probably Norway'. Will we see Lyminge forest cut down at an unsustainable rate? Either way, it doesn't take a genius to work out how unsustainable it would be to transport this huge amount of feed stock alongside deforestation to the detriment of our wildlife and eco systems.
Iceni Energy held an exhibition at Lympne Village Hall last Saturday, 31st January, With no notification to neighbouring Parish Councils or any other form of advertising. It seems that the company was hoping for little resistance from local people, simply to report to Shepway Distict Council that no opposition was initially encountered, leaving a clear route to a formal planning application.
Our Association heard about the exhibition the night before and contacted our members to attend.. Iceni Energy can now be in no doubt that they are not and never will be welcomed here.
What can we as individuals do? Write to your local MP - Damian Collins, David Monk, Leader at Shepway DC, and Jenny Hollingsbee - your local Councillor.
Our Association will be meeting within the coming days to plan our strategy going forward. Please feel free to contact us at any time for information.
Les Barratt. Co Chairman S&DRA.
