Concerns have been raised that a bio-fuelled power plant in Litlington will cause a stink after it was granted planning permission.

Royston Crow: Adrian DentAdrian Dent (Image: Archant)

County councillor Adrian Dent has his reservations about the impact of the plant at Highfield Farm in Royston Road.

He said: “I was against this plan. It’s going to be noisy and smelly. I don’t know why they want to put these things so locally. They should think where to put them, not right where people live. I’m concerned it will cause a strong whiff.”

But his fears have been dismissed by developers REG Bio-Power, who say the impact will be ‘negligible’.

Managing director Ian Collins said: “Our plants are very different to the traditional idea of power stations.

“There are no harmful emissions, no fumes and very little noise. For the most part, our neighbours in Litlington won’t know we are there, as they won’t be able to see, hear or smell the plant.”

The Highfield plant will be run on 100 per cent used cooking oil collected from restaurants, hotels, and food manufacturers.

Oil collection tanks are dotted about at household waste recycling centres across the country. The nearest to Highfield is at the Royston Recycling Centre in Beverley Close.

The plant will provide emergency power when there is a shortage at the National Grid.

Ian added: “We will keep the village informed of our timetable as we start to build the project and look to minimise disruption in every way that we can.”