SHE made her stand in the heart of city government – and won support from all its parties.

Campaigner Eloisa Gil-Arranz last night left the Civic Centre with pledges from the city’s political leaders to fight plans for a biomass power station, dubbed a “giant polluting tin shed”.

Helius Energy wants to build a £300m wood-burning plant in the Western Docks that would loom over hundreds of homes in Millbrook.

The developer claims the plant is a stepping stone towards the city achieving a low-carbon future. But Miss Gil-Arranz made a heartfelt plea to city councillors on behalf of campaign group No Southampton Biomass.

She said the power station’s 328ft chimney would belch out hazardous fumes.

She said: “Under the umbrella of biomass they can legitimately burn anything from virgin and recycled wood to other materials, such as manure, slurry and poultry litter. Do we really want our children to be the next generation of guinea pigs in the biomass experiment? The enormity of this proposal is only just beginning to register with people.”

The power station’s chimney would be twice the height of the Civic Centre clock tower and would be built just 100 yards from homes.

Miss Gil-Arranz, 31, of Beech Road, Millbrook, said: “Comm-unities will break down, property prices will drop and people will move away – if they can sell their homes.”

City councillors from all parties echoed her concerns and will now voice their opposition to Government body the Infrastructure Planning Commission, which will make the final decision.

Councillor Matt Dean, Cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “We are going to do everything we can to support residents in the city to stop this development.”

Lib Dem group leader Councillor Adrian Vinson said the plant was a “monstrosity”, while Labour’s environmental spokesman Councillor Simon Letts called it “truly staggering”. Outside, more than 100 people waved banners and placards against the proposal.

Protester Rachel Hatton, 44, of Testwood Road, said: “I am concerned at having a power plant 125 metres from people’s homes. Only 40 per cent of the fuel will be locally sourced with the rest shipped from other parts of the world. How sustainable is that?”

Larger protests are planned for Saturday, with a 400-strong crowd expected at Freemantle Lake Park at 10.30am. But Helius chief executive Adrain Bowles denied any pollution risks. He said: “A biomass power plant will reduce overall carbon emissions.”

Exhibition featuring the plans will be held on:

  • Monday 21st March 2011 at the Thompson Memorial Hall, Millbrook Baptist Church, Testwood Road, Freemantle SO15 8RL
  • Tuesday 22nd March 2011 at the Thompson Memorial Hall, Millbrook Baptist Church, Testwood Road, Freemantle SO15 8RL
  • Wednesday 23rd March 2011 at the Marchwood Village Centre, Marchwood, Southampton SO40 4SX Running from 2.00pm until 7.30pm each day.