A ROW over plans for a new 'green gas mill' look to have been reignited after developers lodged a bid to change some of the planning conditions.

The controversial power plant is set to be built in near Winchester after being given the green light at a planning meeting in October 2016.

It came after the plans were rejected due to traffic issues in April 2016.

As previously reported, the plans for a so-called green gas mill at Sparsholt College drew objections from seven parish councils, among others.

The college claims the plant – an anaerobic digester which turns grass into gas – can produce power for nearly 5,000 homes a year.

Now, Ecotricity is seeking to make changes to the type of digesters, relocate and resize some of the infrastructure and change the design and appearance of the accompanying education building, which would be used to train the next generation of green gas engineers.

Laura White, project manager, wrote to Winchester City Council planners to say: "The amendments... are required following the appointment of a technology provider."

Ms White added that since the plans were approved, nearly £2million of potential funding had been withdrawn, meaning the education building designs would need to be altered. According to Ms White, the potential funding was withdrawn due to "RHI (Renewable Heat Incentive) Regulations being delayed".

She said: "The design of the building has therefore been revised to deliver a comparable educational facility albeit at a substantially reduced cost."

However, the new application has opened up old wounds for some campaigners, who have revisited the issue of huge traffic increase on the areas small roads.

As previously reported, city council leader Cllr Caroline Horrill was also among those who objected to the original scheme, saying at the time: "It is a commercial enterprise dressed up as an educational establishment."

However, the plans have drawn support from a number of people, including principal Tim Jackson, who said: "Although the design and appearance of the education building has by necessity changed, the facilities provided in the revised design will nevertheless provide an excellent resource."