The scheme at the site of the former Stelrad radiator plant on Hadnock Road is linked to plans for a 60-bed spa hotel, which was passed last year by county councillors but is now being reconsidered by the Welsh Government over flooding fears.
A previous bid at the Valley Enterprise Park (VEP) for a waste wood renewable energy plant was rejected by Monmouthshire councillors in February 2012 in the face of opposition from neighbouring residents, including members of the Riverside mobile home park.
Martyn Harris, who was behind that plan, is also behind the new proposal for a gas-powered combined heat and power (CHP) plant, providing up to 4MW of electrical power.
He says the plant would be in a 300 sq m building and would be raised up from the current ground level by about 3m to ensure protection from flooding.
It would have a slimline flue (about 840mm in diameter) of up to 21m in height, and would service the spa hotel and also be fed into the grid to power neighbouring homes.
As a green system, it would capture normally wasted heat and create electricity as a by-product, delivering efficiencies “of up to 30% when compared to importing traditional power and using a conventional boiler.”
The application to Monmouthshire planners says: “VEP is well positioned amongst a number of major energy users, that could all be considered as beneficiaries of such a system.
“By arranging to deliver direct heat or hot water, or electricity, or both, the benefits of this type of installation can be realised by local stakeholders and contribute to Monmouth’s reduction in carbon footprint and increase in efficiency.”
But Will Morgan of the neighbouring Hadnock Road Industrial Estate said: “The site of this proposed development appears to be directly over the sewer and drainage systems for the nearby industrial units in Hadnock Road.
“I question if it is wise to construct any building directly on top of a sewer.”
Approved plans for the spa hotel on the same derelict industrial site were called in by the Welsh Government after Natural Resources Wales raised fears of flooding from the nearby River Wye, and a final decision is expected in October.
The area, yards from the Wye Valley AONB’s HQ and close to Monmouth’s 17th century Wye Bridge, is in a Zone C2 “highly vulnerable” flood risk area.
The hotel’s lower floor will be above flood risk height, claim applicants Alchemy Hospitality Management, and there are plans to evacuate the hotel ahead of any extreme flooding in the car park and surrounds.
Monmouthshire planning officer Craig O’Conner told a meeting with the Welsh Government planning inspector in May that despite the concerns, the development would boost the town’s economy.
The previous energy plant plan attracted some 50 objections, including from Monmouth School who said the dust and fumes from the incinerator and traffic could have a significant potential adverse health impact on pupils at the sports hall and Grange prep school, which are 100m away.
Riverside Park Residents’ Association, who represent people living in 38 mobile homes, were also concerned about emissions and an increase in traffic.
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