A BEAUTY spot on the Hampshire coast has been earmarked for a huge 80ft electricity plant to import power from Europe.

The National Grid wants to build a seven-storey converter station the size of four football pitches to feed power from France in a bid to stave off a future energy crisis and slash rocketing bills.

It has its eye on a piece of land at Chilling Farm near Warsash, which is owned by Hampshire County Council.

However the county council bought the site to protect what officers has described as “an unspoilt area of coastline”.

Leader Cllr Roy Perry is due to decide this week whether to sell up.

A Hampshire County Council spokesman told the Daily Echo: “Hampshire would not be willing sellers of the land at Chilling for such a purpose.

“The county council very much supports the national and European position on taking action to achieve greater energy security and the best prices for consumers.

“The council also recognises that Hampshire is the most favourable connection point for a new electricity link with Normandy.

“Subject to the decision to be made by the county council leader on April 9, Hampshire is therefore, keen to assist in identifying a suitable brownfield site for the converter station.

“Chilling Farm was acquired by the county council to protect this beautiful and unspoilt area of coastline, and our view is that the construction of the proposed converter station would have a highly detrimental effect and impact on this Special Protection Area (SPA).”

The site in question is on Southampton Water, between Warsash and Titchfield.

National Grid Interconnectors Holdings Limited is currently looking at whether it is feasible to locate a new electricity interconnector between the UK and France.

There are currently four linking us to Ireland, The Netherlands, Northern Ireland and an existing one with France.

A spokesman said: “Interconnectors are recognised by government as having an important role to play in providing alternative sources of electricity for this country and in keeping supplies secure and affordable.

“We are committed to working with the local communities, stakeholders and interested parties, including Hampshire County Council, to find a suitable location and route for the interconnector.

“To this end we have been holding discussions with Hampshire County Council about the potential for locating the interconnector on a piece of land owned by the council near Chilling.

“The Cabinet meeting on Thursday represents the culmination of these discussions and we will await their decision before commenting further.”