01/03/2010 (Dorset Echo) - Steve Davies, chief executive of Portland Harbour Authority, said: “The port has been keen to support the proposal for the biofuel plant on land on Portland Port.

“It complies at the highest level with the national policy requirements for safety and environmental sustainability.

“The plant poses no risk to health – the Environment Agency, Natural England and all the proper authorities have been consulted and they have found no problems.

“The plant would use certified fuels and will create more than 200 jobs during the construction period and then up to 22 jobs when operational.

“Personally I think people need to be aware of the actual facts.

“A lot of the protest is emotionally based, when you look at the facts people should be reassured.”

He added: “There is a silent majority issue – a lot of the people I speak to are very supportive.”

Mr Davies said the plant is expected to bring a £35million investment to Portland and ‘a significant proportion’ would go to local contractors to build the power station.

He added: “The port will get a tenant so we can rent some land for the plant and shipping to bring vegetable oil in to the island on a regular basis.”