DEVELOPERS of a controversial new power station planned for Southampton have proposed a revised site further away from homes.
Helius Energy Plc sparked a public outcry when the original plans for the biomass fuelled station were published a year ago with a 100m chimney stack in artist's impressions appearing to tower over homes in Millbrook.
Angry residents voiced fears over pollution and labelled the plans as “monstrous”.
Then after a public consultation and two protests Helius's planning director Paul Brighton said they were “addressing the visual impact issues raised”.
In the new statement from Helius, Mr Brighton said public comments have been “carefully considered” but the new plans are not ready yet.
He said: “The company has worked hard with the Port of Southampton to revise the location of the scheme and we are now working on the layout and external design to further respond to comments received.”
Protesters put off their summer holidays waiting for new information but no new plans were published last year.
Helius has now come forward with the new revised site at the Port of Southampton, which is “approximately 125 metres further from the nearest residential development than the original scheme”.
In their new announcement they state the new plans will include “changes to the layout and form of the scheme”.
Once the new plans are published a further consultation will focus on the plants location and siting and “three different approaches to the external design”.
This new consultation is expected to start in May and to last for 12 weeks.
With these dates in mind Helius hope to submit their application to the Infrastructure Planning Commission in Autumn this year. A decision could then be made late in 2013 if the plans are accepted for examination by the commission.
