PROPOSALS to build up to 16 concrete silos to house wood pellets at Royal Portbury Dock have triggered concerns from people living nearby.

Apart from the visual impact of the proposed 50 metre high and 30 metre in diameter constructions, residents say they are worried about the impact lorries using the plant will have on the already overloaded roads around junction 19 of the M5.

Portbury Parish Council chairman Peter Cooke said: “The parish council has serious reservations about the proposed building of the silos. We understand it could mean up to an extra 70 lorries a day using the dock and we are also concerned about the environmental and visual impact.”

In 2011, a planning application was submitted to North Somerset Council for a covered storage in a bulk handling depot at the dock. The proposals have now evolved into something completely different, although still under the original application.

Mr Cooke added: “I am concerned these vast changes will not be brought to the public’s attention because it remains under its original planning application number and it is important that residents are able to have their say on the matter.”

Members of Portbury Parish Council say they will now be contacting Pill and Easton-in-Gordano Parish Council to seek their views on the matter before filing comments to North Somerset Council.

Motorists already have concerns over the impact construction industry vehicles will have on traffic flow at junction 19 when the proposed renewable energy plant is built at Portbury Dock. They now fear even more congestion, should the silos be under construction at the same time.

Full details of the proposals can be seen on North Somerset Council’s website under planning application number 11/P/1317/LUP.