RESIDENTS have launched a last desperate bid to stop a proposed biomass plant in West Thurrock.

A detailed submission was put in on March 10 to the planning secretary by charity Biofuelwatch together with West Thurrock residents fighting the bid.

Last year, Thurrock Council threw out the application to build a biomass plant on a site Wouldham Road after receiving over 400 objections.

But Procter and Gamble, Balfour Beatty and Nexterra put in an appeal against refused permission last month to the national Planning Inspectorate.

Helen Adams, 46, of London Road, from the opposition group said: “Residents are planning to fight on as much as we can. We won’t let go of it because it is our health, our way of life and wellbeing.

“What people want is to keep the area they live in nice. They think they can just ride roughshod over us because we are just residents. They’re not even giving anything back to the community. People here are not going to let this one go.”

The latest submission cites concerns of visual impact, impact on property prices, waste hierarchy and air quality. Over 20 representations have been made to the appeal.

Almuth Ernsting, of Biofuelwatch said she was “surprised” P&G had put in the appeal. The charity has previously fought off two other biomass plants in Southall and Wales.

She said: “It’s very challenging to win cases going to appeal as the law is very much in favour of the developer. But we will have to wait and see.”

A Thurrock Council spokesman said they “would be defending its refusal”.

A P&G spokesperson said: "P&G has a proud & long-standing history in Thurrock, with our London Plant operating in the area for over 75 years. With such a strong heritage in the area - including apprenticeships, sponsorship of local awards and events as well as local employment - we are always looking at ways in which we can sustain our operations and engage further with the community.

"If successful, the appeal for a Renewable Energy Plant will help us to protect the environment we operate in, as well as protecting and growing employment in Thurrock."