Dundee City Council has been given more time over its response to a proposed biomass plant.

According to The Courier, the council was expected to discus the results of Forth Energy's air quality tests at a meeting on 10 June. It has now been scheduled for a Policy and Resources committee meeting on 24 June.

It is understood the detail of the tests and the significance of the related information makes up a considerable amount of data that is taking longer to assess.

The council has already been granted one extension. It was due to decide its response to the controversial plant on 10 May.

Forth Energy believes the results of the air quality tests support its case to build the £325m project at the city’s harbour. The facility would take wood, shipped in from North America, and put it through a number of processes to produce electricity and heat.

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Air quality tests previously indicated that the small amount of nitrogen dioxide emitted from the plant’s 90 metre stack would be 'negligible' in relation to the volume produced by passing traffic, and Forth Energy believe there is no air quality impact to 
prevent permission from being granted.

However, there are some who disagree and are sceptical about wider environmental issues.

The decision to look further into the application followed a report by Director of City Development, Mike Galloway, which said there were unresolved issues with the plant.

He did not give a firm recommendation for or against the project, but presented options to the councillors. The three options include:

• They support the proposal subject to conditions
• They ask Scottish ministers to defer consideration until an air quality survey shows the plant will have no adverse effect on public health
• They object to the application

Mr Galloway’s report to councillors is expected to be ready just before the June 24 meeting.

(JP/CD)