Plans fired up for power station

The station will be connected to the National Grid in 2012

A £600m gas power station is to be built on a site in Lancashire.

Welsh Power will run the 850MW power plant at Hillhouse International Business Park at Thornton Cleveleys Lancashire, with 40 permanent staff.

The project is part of the larger redevelopment of the 800-acre site, which houses 45 businesses.

A consultation with residents and businesses will now be carried out by owners NPL Estates, before a formal application is made to the government.

The site was previously given consent for a gas-fired power station but that lapsed some time ago.

It is thought that the station, which is expected to create 650 construction jobs, will be connected to the National Grid in 2012.

'Vibrant community'

Simon Towers, NPL managing director, said: "This is exciting news for the site and the area in general.

"The ability to generate power at Hillhouse will help us to attract more large manufacturing and process companies, joining with those already on site and thereby securing solid employment for the future, bringing more prosperity to Wyre and adding to the vibrant business community which we have helped create."

Wyre Borough Council leader Councillor Russell Forsyth said: "At a time when the economy is in decline, the proposal represents a significant investment into the borough and, if approved, will generate power for thousands of homes and businesses."

Mr Forsyth said the plans were not connected to an application for gas storage by Canatxx, which was refused earlier in the year.