Case Studies
Biomass Plant - Supporting the drive towards renewables
Drax Power
Selby, North Yorkshire
Pendragon PR were contracted in early 2009 to provide stakeholder communications and public relations support for three 290MW biomass-fired renewable energy plants being proposed by Drax Power.
Among the largest biomass projects ever proposed in the UK, each plant would be capable of supplying over 500,000 houses with their electricity needs from renewable energy sources.
It had been proposed that the Ouse Renewable Energy Plant should be located adjacent to the existing 4,000MW Drax Power Station in North Yorkshire. Benefits of the plan included ability to use existing infrastructure such as railways, roads, grid distribution links. Challenges to overcome included winning the support of the local community and consultees.
An analysis was undertaken by Pendragon that identified key stakeholders that needed to be engaged in the consultation process. Pendragon formulated a strategy that identified roles to be undertaken by Pendragon and Drax staff, environmental consultants and planning consultants.
Residents in over 6,000 nearby households were contacted and invited to exhibitions held in Selby and Drax. A media campaign was also orchestrated that involved local and regional media.
The campaign ran for six months and produced outstanding results. Polls conducted by Pendragon demonstrated community levels of support for the proposal in excess of 90%. The Selby Times also conducted a phone poll that demonstrated 84% support. In parallel, meetings were organised with consultees and the proposal explained. Many queries were handled and potentially damaging objections addressed successfully. Meetings were also arranged with planning officers at the two local authorities concerned, Selby District Council and North Yorkshire County Council.
In October 2009 Selby District Council Planning Committee backed the proposal unanimously and the following month North Yorkshire Planning Committee also offered unequivocal support for the project also. The proposal returned to the Department of Energy and Climate Change with overwhelming support from statutory consultees. DECC is expected to make a decision about whether to grant planning consent to the Ouse Renewable Energy Plant by mid-2010.
Pendragon Public Relations
24 Office Village
Exchange Quay
Manchester
M5 3EQ
Tel: 0161 786 8000
Fax: 0161 786 8001
info@pendragon-pr.co.uk
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