CAMPAIGNERS in Bishop’s Castle face having to raise £100,000 if they are to mount a legal challenge against the granting of planning permission for a biomass plant in the town.

The Bishop’s Castle Group has three months to decide if it is going to take the case to judicial review but says there are other options available to fight the proposal.

“I estimate that it would cost us between £30,000 and £50,000 to go to judicial review,” said Michael Dawes, of the Bishop’s Castle Group.

Campaigners would also have to be in a position to cover the costs of the other side if the challenge was unsuccessful and this effectively doubles the amount of money that could be needed.

“It is very expensive. A lot of people want to help and we have been allocated £1,000 from Bishop’s Castle Town Council but funding a challenge is a big obstacle,” said Mr Dawes.

“The feeling of the community is very strong but the cost is high and this is not Surrey where you go outside and shake a tree to be showered with money.”

But the opponents of the biomass plant say that whilst they have not totally ruled out going through the courts, alternative options including acquiring part ownership of the site earmarked for the development are being considered.

“It is possible that the community could buy part of the site and this is an avenue that is being explored.

“I suspect that local people might be more willing to contribute to buying the land for the local community rather than stuffing money into the pockets of wealthy lawyers,” added Mr Dawes.

“We were very disappointed with the outcome of the planning inquir y but the community has not given up and we are determined to do all that we possibly can to prevent this biomass plant being built in the town.”