Gas-fired power plant could be built on green belt land

The power plant would be roughly the size of a five-storey building

Gas-fired power plant could be built on green belt land

A gas-fired power plant could be built on “industrial” green belt land by the River Weaver.

Developer Riverside Estates claim the 14m-high plant will be “visually appropriate” for the area, a former landfill next to the M56 and Runcorn Rowing Club’s boathouse.

In a planning application submitted to Halton Council this week, the developer said the plant would provide extra power to the National Grid during peak times, acting as “a small but valuable part of the wider solution to transition to renewable energy production in the UK”.

Riverside claimed that by helping the UK to transition to more renewable power sources, the plant would fulfil the “very special circumstances” needed to justify building on the green belt.

The developer also argued that the presence of the M56 and nearby industrial buildings meant the plant would not cause significant harm to the green belt.

Its planning application states: “The character and nature of this part of the green belt is already defined by heavy industrial uses and transport infrastructure.

“It is considered that the proposals would not be incongruous with these existing uses, and would not impact or change the character or appearance of the area.”

The plant would be restricted to the corner of the site closest to the junction between Cholmondeley Road and Weaver View and include five generators, each with its own chimney.

With a height of 14m, these chimneys would be almost the same size as a five-storey building.

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The plant is not intended to operate 24/7, but only during peak demand times such as early mornings, evenings and during winter. When it is not generating electricity, the power plant would be inactive and not produce any noise or emissions, the planning application says.

The application adds: “The presence of reserve capacity such as the proposed development, which can respond quickly and reliably enables preservation of grid stability and further exploitation of renewable resources such as wind and solar.”

As part of its application, Riverside has offered to sign an agreement to protect the rest of the field, which stretches to the M56 and contains several rare plant species.

Residents have until March 5 to comment on the application, and the council is due to make a decision in early April.