A decision has been made by the government not to 'call-in' a proposal for a contentious biomass plant.

Plans to create energy by burning straw and wood chip at a plant off the A11 at Snetterton were given the go-ahead by Breckland planning officials in June this year but, given the number of concerns raised and the nature of the plans, it had been expected they would be subject to further scrutiny by the government.

In a letter to South West Norfolk MP Elizabeth Truss however, parliamentary under secretary of state for Communities and Local Government Bob Neill rejected her requests to call-in the case, and said the decision should be taken at a local level.

The letter acknowledged it was not the 'preferred outcome' for 'a number of constituents', but that power to call-in a case should be used 'selectively'.

It went on: 'In particular, your concerns about the source of fuel for the plant has been taken into consideration, however I consider that the sustainability of the fuel source is not sufficient to warrant call in of this proposal.'

See tomorrow's paper for more.