The built footprint of the Ince Biomass Energy Plant would be smaller than that of the consented bio-ethanol plant, though some of the buildings would be taller. The picture below shows the relative massing of both schemes, with the bio ethanol plant shown in orange and the biomass energy plant in purple. The tallest elements of the biomass energy plant are the chimney stack (85m) and the boiler housing (42m).

To give further context, the Growhow facility adjoining the proposed biomass site has a range of chimneys and vent stacks ranging from 91.5m (nitrogen vent) to 83 m for Prill Tower, down to 71m, 66m and 56m. Slightly to the south west of the proposed facility the Quinn Glass factory includes a stack of 76m and warehouse roofs ranging in height from 40-30m.

Ince Biomass Energy Plant

We do not believe that the new proposal will give rise to a change in the character of the landscape context but it does have the potential to be seen from a wider area, primarily because of the height of the chimney stack. For this reason a detailed study of visual impact is being undertaken. Photomontages will be developed for different viewpoints to be agreed with Cheshire West and Chester Council and when they are available, they will be put on the website.