| Marchwood is set to be the home to a gas-fuelled power station by May 2009. Using the latest technology, the new power station will generate electricity from gas that will be piped into the site, helping meet at least some of the increasing demand for electricity in the South of England.
The new technology will generate electricity with very little noise and no smell. Initial work on the site will commence in October this year with the construction of a sub-station. The new power station will be constructed very near to the old power station site and next to "The Dome", an energy from waste facility.
The new station will extract water from the nearby River Test. The water will discharged upstream, heated to about 8 degrees higher than the original temperature. Special measures will be in place to minimise the impact on fish and marine life.
Once operational, the power station will employ about 35 people. However, about 500 people are expected to be working on site during some stages of the 29 month construction phase.
Strict agreements are in place to deal with any potential traffic problems, including a ban on HGV traffic generated from the site travelling through the village.
There will be some visual impact, with two stacks, 220 feet high. The greatest visual impact will be seen by residents on the Admiralty Quay Estate. There will not be a need for a new line of pylons because the new power station will mostly utilise existing pylons. The gas pipe to the station will be completely buried.
Lib Dem County Councillor, David Harrison, met with the people developing the site this week to discuss and agree details of the scheme. It is proposed that the public will be given a chance to see an exhibition of the scheme before construction starts and other initiatives such as web-site details and a project help-line will be provided.
Speaking after the meeting, Cllr. Harrison said "This new power station provides an efficient, clean and secure means of generating electricity. I am encouraged by the representatives I have met today. They clearly want to proceed in a responsible manner and have already given a great deal of thought to any impact on local residents."
Councillor Harrison will be meeting regularly with the electricity bosses in the coming months and will be happy to pass on any concerns expressed by local people. If you have a question or concern about the proposals, please E-Mail Cllr. David Harrison on dharrison100@aol.com. |
