Plans move
forward for
gas power
station

The Planning Inspectorate announced that the application from Knottingley Power Ltd for the proposed Knottingley Power Project in West Yorkshire has been accepted for examination by Eric Pickles.

If approved the power station, planned for the former Oxiris chemical works site in Common Lane, could power as many as two million homes.

Those behind the scheme claim it would result in an off-site boost to local businesses such as restaurants, accommodation and other service providers.

The 1,100 jobs will be created during the construction phase, reducing to around 50 permanent skilled jobs for the 25-year operational lifetime of the power station. Bosses anticipate it being up-and-running by 2018 if planning consents are given. The scheme is the brainchild of Irish energy company ESB International and will use gas from an underground pipeline if approved.

Sir Michael Pitt, chief executive of The Planning Inspectorate, said: “After careful consideration, on behalf of the Secretary of State we have decided that the application submitted by Knottingley Power Limited met the required tests set out in the legislation to be accepted for examination.

“The applicant must now decide when to publicise the fact that its application has been accepted to proceed to examination and announce when members of the public will be able to register with The Planning Inspectorate as an interested party in the application.”

Power stations that generate more than 50MW of electricity are labelled as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project and, in order to get planning permission, bosses had to apply to the Planning Inspectorate for an order.