THE firm behind plans to build a renewable energy plant close to Tiverton has admitted the original scheme was "too ambitious" but claims a new scaled-down version can provide waste management solutions, farm diversification, jobs and economic regeneration.

Nearly two years ago, Greener for Life unveiled plans to build a huge anaerobic digestion plant at Gibbet Moor Farm, just off the A361 North Devon link road.

The proposed Tiverton Energy Centre sparked controversy at the time, with some local residents arguing it was inappropriately sited in a rural location, would cause traffic disruption and was not as 'green' as the applicants claimed.

Anaerobic Digestion works by converting organic matter into biogas, that can be used for heat and power and for transport fuel. It also produces fertiliser as a by-product.

Farmer Winston Reed, who owns the land on which the proposed energy centre would be built, has submitted revised plans for the project to Devon County Council.

As indicated by Mr Reed at a public consultation event held earlier this year, plans have now been dropped for second and third phases of the project that would have allowed for the production of biofuels and hydrogen fuels.

Mr Reed said full environmental and traffic impact assessments had also been carried out and submitted alongside the new plans.

He said: "It has taken us so long because we wanted to make sure it was in the right location and take on board comments raised following consultation events last year."

"The original plan was slightly too ambitious. Now we are concentrating on the anaerobic digestion phase of the development. When we first came up with the scheme at the beginning of 2008, we knew we were ahead of our time, but everyone seems to be getting behind AD technology now.

"Friends of the Earth and the NFU support anaerobic digestion and people understand more about it. There are not many AD plants approved in Britain, but there are thousands in Germany."

Mr Reed said the firm had attempted to address concerns about visual impact and traffic.

"The scheme's footprint is smaller, at three and a half hectares in total, and includes bunding to screen any visual impact."

Mr Reed said it had been calculated there would be around 40 traffic movements a day at the site, but improvements planned for the access to the junction with the A361 would make it "safer for all road users."

Greener for Life argues their plant would offer an efficient alternative to taking waste to landfill, using technology that produces fewer emissions than incineration.

They say the scheme must be looked at in both a local and national context, arguing Tiverton could gain financially from a new status as a growing South West town, while biogas could offer improved security of energy supply for the UK.

If planning permission is granted, Mr Reed hopes work would start on the plant in late 2010, making it operational in 2011.

Jill Larcombe, clerk to Templeton Parish Council, said the council would view the plans in the New Year and study all the details before giving their verdict on the scheme.

More details of the revised project can be viewed at www.greenerforlife.co.uk.