A GAS-POWERED generation plant will be built in Middlewich and will be used at peak times to provide back-up energy for the National Grid.


An application was submitted to Cheshire East Council by GF Energy in November last year to build the generation plant off ERF Way, and it was approved by the council’s Southern Planning Board on Wednesday, April 27.


The site would consist of 20 containerised electricity generation units.


Middlewich was chosen as the ideal location as it’s the only place where the generation plant can reach 10 million homes around the country – however the site will only have the capacity to supply energy to up to 8,000 homes at any one time.


The application was discussed at a previous meeting of the board in March when it was decided that the issue should be deferred due to a lack of information from environmental health officers.


Philippa Radia, planning case officer, said: “You deferred it because you wanted assurances from environmental health and the officer has said they did look at the application and have no concerns in regards to air quality and noise.”


Members of the board also queried whether the site could ‘fire up’ creating noise during the night, but speaking on behalf of the applicant, GF Energy, David Sheppherd told the board it would be unlikely to be needed at that time.


David said: “It’s going to be used as a back-up and it will usually be used in peak times when people are putting the kettle on and watching TV so I don’t think it will start up at night.”


Middlewich ward member, Cllr Bernice Walmsley, is on the board and raised concerns over the site being built on employment land and not bringing any jobs to the town.


Cllr Janet Clowes argued against the employment concerns.


She said: “I think it might actually encourage businesses to develop in the area if you have this energy supply there and if anything would bring more employment.”


The board was reassured over concerns of security at the last meeting in March.


“The site is contained by a 2.4m security fence and we have lasers that will scan the fence. We have never had any issues with security at any of our others sites before.”