AN ACTION group has been formed to campaign for more information about the controversial biomass power plant project in Cricklade.

BLOT which stands for Biomass Lumbered on Our Town wants to know more about plans for the £10 million renewable energy plant to decide whether or not to campaign against it.

The group does not know whether it should oppose the scheme outright or simply campaign to ensure it does not adversely affect the community when it is built.

Barry Wicks, chairman of BLOT, said it would be holding talks with Cricklade Town Council and the company behind the project, North Wiltshire Biomass Power Ltd (NWBPL) a subsidiary of Corsham-based Ambient Energy.

He also urged members of the public to contact the group with their concerns and to sign a petition calling for the full facts to be revealed about the 5.8 megawatt plant, which would burn wood chips to generate electricity.

The company has not provided us with enough information for us to decide whether we should be against it or not, he said.

NWBPL wants to build the plant outside Cricklade at Kingshill Recycling Centre off the A419.

The action group formed after it heard the concerns of around 100 residents who attended a public meeting.

The main worries are traffic, noise and emissions caused by the plant. Gerry Swarbrick, owner of Ambient Energy, said he was happy to provide the group with as much information as possible.

The issue will be discussed at Cricklade Town Council's planning committee meetingon Monday, July 10.