COUNCIL leader John Kent has publicly backed campaigners against a proposed biomass plant at Fiddler’s Reach, in Grays.

His support has been added to a growing number of councillors and residents, who gathered recently to protest against planning approval.

Protesters have also collected a 400-strong petition which, in addition to the 400 objections on the council’s planning website, was presented at a full council meeting.

In a letter to opponents dated June 15, Mr Kent said: “Building a bio power plant on that site will clearly have huge implications for our community. I oppose it for the same reasons as you, and frankly I demand better for this borough and our community than this power station.”

Mr Kent cited his chief reasons for opposition as residents’ fears around air pollution, lorry noise, the impact on house prices and proximity to people’s houses.

Mr Kent added: “If this gets the go-ahead, not only would it mean increased traffic and pollution, but a monstrous building with a 100-metre-high chimney very close to residents and on the river front.”

On Saturday, about 40 protesters gathered at the site of the proposed biomass electricity-producing plant, in Wouldham Road, Grays, along with councillors Oliver Gerrish, Jane Pothecary, and Martin Kerin.

Residents called the protest a “David and Goliath” battle against multinational Procter and Gamble, which wants to build the plant.