'Burger bar' oil plant withdrawn

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Plans for a £50m plant in Pembrokeshire to turn cooking oil from outlets such as McDonald's and Burger King into energy and bio-diesel have been pulled.

Agri-Energy said the plant near Milford Haven, which would also have processed farm crops and animal by-products, was no longer commercially viable.

The scheme at an old armaments depot at Blackbridge would have employed 80.

The company said it would be developing a site at Eastham at the mouth of the Manchester Ship Canal instead.

The company, a subsidiary of Irish Food Processors, had held several meetings with nearby residents and there was some opposition to its plans.

The 35 megawatt power plant would have produced enough energy to power the equivalent of 60,000 homes and would also have made about 200,000 tonnes of bio-diesel annually, mainly for use in the local refineries.

They have assured us they will consider Pembrokeshire for other projects John Davies, council leader

Chief executive Robert Behan said: "It is very disappointing for us to have to withdraw after all the work that has gone into investigating the feasibility of bringing this project to Milford Haven".

Pembrokeshire Council leader John Davies also called it disappointing, and said: "We felt their plans to produce bio-diesel at Blackbridge were very exciting and fitted well with the other developments taking place around the waterway."

The council had worked with the Welsh Assembly Government to bring the plant to the area.

Mr Davies added: "Unfortunately, commercial pressures brought about by changes in the energy market have led to the company deciding that half of the Blackbridge project - the power station - would not be viable.

"This had a knock-on effect on the bio-diesel project which they have decided cannot stand alone.

"We understand the company's reasons and remain on good terms with them - they have assured us they will consider Pembrokeshire for other projects in the future and we would be pleased to work with them."