The company behind plans for a biomass plant at Dundee harbour has demanded changes to the region’s strategic plan.
Forth Energy has told an inquiry it is worried the wording of the document could hamper efforts to promote the docks as a centre for renewable energy.
It also wants planners to take into account the possibility of a substantial heat network being created by its proposals.
The company is a joint venture by Scottish and Southern Energy and Forth Ports. It is behind a project that would see 1.3 million tonnes of mostly imported biomass burned to produce electricity.
Its scheme has run into opposition from protesters worried about the environmental impact and the 100-metre chimney that would have to be built.
The companies recently reiterated their desire to go ahead with the development, despite scrapping a similar plant proposed for Leith.
Forth Energy is one of dozens of companies and individuals to submit comments to a consultation on TAYplan, the strategic development plan that will guide major developments in Tayside and north Fife.
Three planning appeals reporters have been asked by the Scottish Government to examine the plan and consider the issues raised.
In its submission, Forth Energy said: ”There is a key opportunity to build a heat network in Dundee, which would be one of the largest in the UK.
”There is a synergy with the national renewable infrastructure plan proposals, as heat from the plant could be used as part of the renewable energy manufacturing process, as well as attracting other large-scale users of heat or cooling.
”The plan needs to broaden its terminology to ensure that it encompasses the range of manufacturing and industrial uses that should be encouraged within the Port of Dundee, as ‘port-related’ use alone could be interpreted restrictively, to the detriment of the overall proposals for a renewables hub at the port.
”The plan also needs to further encourage heat networks and recognise that these will not always need to be small-scale and within individual developments.”
TAYplan has told the planning appeals reporters that it considers its policy to be clear on renewable energy generation and placing these close to areas of greatest demand and that no further strategic policy detail is required.
”Forth Energy’s planning application referred to is still under determination and not a specific proposal identified in the proposed plan.
”As such, it is neither appropriate nor necessary for this issue to be considered through the strategic development plan,” it said.