Plans for a new energy plant in Exeter have ignited strong opposition from locals concerned about green space loss
Exeter: There’s been quite a stir over the Exeter City Council’s plan to sell off some green space in Riverside Valley Park for a new energy center. People are really upset about losing this area.
The council wants to sell about a third of the playing fields at Grace Road Fields, which is around 1.8 hectares. This space would be used by Exeter Energy Network to create an energy plant that pulls heat from the River Exe and uses excess heat from a nearby incinerator and a proposed data center.
This new plant is supposed to provide heating for local businesses and homes, including the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. It’s located between Marsh Barton railway station and the Exeter Ship Canal, and part of it was used during the railway station’s construction.
On December 17, the council announced a public consultation on their website, but they only gave folks until December 31 to share their thoughts. That didn’t sit well with many residents.
Green councillors are pushing for the consultation to be paused, saying that people need more information to make informed decisions. They feel the council hasn’t made a strong enough case for selling off this precious green space.
Cllr Andy Ketchin voiced his concerns, stating that the council hasn’t provided enough details about the environmental impact. He pointed out that the field is part of the protected Riverside Valley Park and that the public deserves to know the full story.
He also mentioned that there hasn’t been an Environmental Impact Assessment done, which is crucial since this area is sensitive to flooding and is valuable for local wildlife. Ketchin is asking the council to delay the sale until they can prove there are no other suitable sites available.
While the council claims they looked at 14 potential sites and found this one to be the best, many locals are still skeptical. They want transparency and a thorough explanation of why this site was chosen.
The proposed energy center aims to generate low-carbon heat from various sources, including heat pumps and waste heat from the data center and the nearby Energy Recovery Facility. This could help reduce reliance on gas boilers and improve air quality in the city.
Exeter Energy Network has provided reasons for choosing this site, emphasizing its proximity to potential low-carbon energy sources. They believe this will help lower emissions and costs for customers.
They also plan to boost biodiversity around the site by 20%, which is double the usual requirement. They’re working with local partners to make sure this goal is met.
